MUNICIE, Ind. – The No. 11 Loyola University Chicago men's volleyball team stole a set from No. 15 Ball State in its first MIVA match of 2024, but ultimately fell, 3-1 (25-23, 24-26, 25-27, 23-25), Thursday night at Worthen Arena. Despite losing, the Ramblers hit .326 while holding Ball State to .285. The 'Blers also won the block battle, 10-4, but 22 service errors proved costly.

"That was tough one," said Loyola head coach John Hawks. "Statistically, we out-blocked them, but unfortunately, we just had way too many service errors. Service errors are a part of the game, it's not sometimes why we win or lose, but tonight, they didn't help. Ball State is a good team – we'll get back and watch the film."

How it Happened
The tightly contested first set set the tone for the remainder of the match. The Cardinals won the race to 15 points after a kill plus a Loyola error made the score 16-13 but LUC swung back after Jimmy Meinhart logged back-to-back kills from Ryan McElligott to make the score 16-15, BSU. The two teams continued to trade blows until a 5-1 Loyola run gave the Maroon and Gold a 22-20 lead. Later, a Ball State service error helped Loyola to set point (24-22). Meinhart's fourth kill of the opener gave LUC a 1-0 lead in the match.

The Ramblers took a 3-1 advantage in the second frame after two BSU errors and a slammer from Daniel Fabikovic. But, with Ball State heating up, the Cardinals took off on a 6-0 run and took a 11-6 edge midway through the second set. Later in the action, another 3-0 run from the home squad helped them to a 21-14 lead. But Loyola Chicago didn't back down. With the Cardinals at 23 points, a massive 7-1 swing from Loyola tied the score, 24-24. However, two ball state kills ended the set for the home team.

It was a similar story in the third set with the two teams going back-and-forth to 20-20. A late 3-0 Loyola run – which made the score 24-23, Loyola - gave LUC an opportunity to gain a 2-1 lead in the match, but BSU ended the set on a 4-1 run to take the lead.

In need of a set win, Loyola's 4-0 run in the fourth frame, capped by a pair of BSU errors and Parker Van Buren's kill, gave the Ramblers a 7-3 lead. BSU though, powered by its home crowd of 815, began to take control. Ball State led 22-20, after a 6-2 run late in the set. The Cardinals later took the set and match with a 25-23 win.

Notes

• Loyola's 10 blocks were their third most of 2024. The Ramblers' 14 against George Mason on Jan. 27 marks their season high.
• Loyola's defense posted a season-high 49 digs in the loss, 15 more than their previous high of 34 against BYU. Ball State had 47.
• The team racked up 59 kills, its second most of the season.
  • Van Buren led the way with 19 on 42 swings. He notched Loyola's first double-double of 2024 after totaling a match-high 12 digs.
  • Jake Read (15) and Fabicovic (12) were also in double-figures.
• McElligott was close to a double-double with nine digs and 49 assists, a career-high.
• Meinhart's eight kills and six blocks tied the senior's season-highs.

Up Next
Loyola is next in action Tuesday (Feb. 6) as the team takes on Purdue Fort Wayne. The away match will start at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN+.