EAST LANSING, Mich. – Loyola Chicago battled Big Ten foe Michigan State Sunday afternoon in the final match of the weekend. The Ramblers forced a fourth set after taking the second, but the Spartans edged out Loyola in two close battles in the third and fourth to take a 3-1 win.
 
The Ramblers fall to 2-4 overall.
 
"I'm really proud of Esma for having a great match overall," said head coach Amanda Berkley. "She has been working so hard, and it is nice to see that hard work pay off. We are right there against some quality teams, but we just have to limit errors at crucial times and find a way to expand our hitting window. I am looking forward to another week of practice to get better and prepare for our home tournament."
 
Esma Ajanovic exploded for a career-high 16 kills. Her previous high was 11 set back in the 2022 season. She finished with a .500 hitting percentage, three block assists, and a dig.
 
Bree Borum eclipsed the 30-assist mark for the second time this season with 31. She added seven digs and five kills.
 
Avary DeBlieck was tabbed to the All-Tournament Team following the match. She recorded another four kills, a solo block, and five block assists.
 
How It Happened
Set One: Loyola and Michigan State went point for point to open the match before the Spartans pulled ahead with back-to-back kills on a 3-0 run, 9-5. Rachel Muisenga tallied two straight aces to put MSU up 17-11, but the Ramblers chipped away to get within three on a 4-1 run sparked by an Ajanovic kill. Loyola's remaining points came on MSU errors as the Ramblers couldn't find momentum. The Spartans went on to win, 25-19.
 
Set Two: Ajanovic, Kate Maley and Marta Cvitkovic heated up early for the Ramblers in the second set with four combined early kills for an 8-4 edge. Three Spartans recorded kills in a 3-0 run to get within two of Loyola, 13-11. Cvitkovic sparked a 4-0 stretch for the Ramblers that saw a Borum ace and Ajanovic kill for a six-point lead. Ajanovic would tally another kill to make it 24-19. The Spartans attempted a late rally, but a service error ended the set in Loyola's favor, 25-22.
 
Set Three: Loyola opened the third with a service error with four straight blows from MSU as the Spartans went up 5-0. The Ramblers couldn't find their groove going down 24-15, but Ajanovic's late kill sparked a 5-0 run for the Ramblers to get them back within four and challenge Michigan State down the stretch. Taylah Holdem halted the scoring streak from Loyola, and the Spartans won, 25-20.
 
Set Four: Much like the third set, Loyola faced an early deficit with a 5-1 MSU lead. Ajanovic, Ann Marie Remmes, and Maley kept the Ramblers alive early with kills. Midway through, Loyola used a 5-0 run to swing the lead in their favor, 16-15. Sam Falk's ace would give them the narrow lead. The set saw five ties by the end. Ajanovic registered a kill to get Loyola within one, 24-23, but Nil Okur secured the match point with a kill for MSU.
 
Up Next
Loyola turns its attention to next weekend for the home opener. The Ramblers host Utah and Northeastern for the Loyola Invitational. Action starts Friday at 6 p.m. for the second annual Gentile Jamboree.