CHICAGO – No. 6 Loyola Chicago (18-2, 9-2 MIVA) bested Lindenwood in three sets for its ninth Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) victory on Thursday, March 27 inside Gentile Arena. The Ramblers are now on a five-match winning streak.  

"We're feeling we're feeling good, any win in our conference is great. The crowd was awesome, maybe a little bit unexpected for a Thursday night, but the crowd was there, and we could hear them, especially late into that first set, which kind of helped us. A little bit of wind in our backs is what we needed," said head coach Shane Davis. "It was great a win and Fabi [Daniel Fabikovic], along with the other guys, did a really good job of executing simple things tonight." 

How It Happened 
Set One: In the opening set, the tightest of the match with three tied scores, the Ramblers started off hot on a 4-1 lead. Both sides exchanged multiple service errors that kept the set close. Parker Van Buren powered Loyola with four kills while Ryan McElligott instrumented the offense on seven assists. The Lions stayed within reach through the entirety of the set, but after an attack error set the Ramblers up for set point, Van Buren clinched with a kill from Jake Read to take the first, 25-23.  

Set Two: The Ramblers could not be contained in the second set, hitting .600 while holding the Lions to just .125. After back-to-back service errors to open the set, McElligott clocked a kill before leading Loyola on a 3-0 run at the service line. Brad Bell then went on his own streak at the service line to put the Ramblers up 17-9, the largest deficit of the match. Daniel Fabikovic secured the set on a decisive kill from McElligott.  

Set Three: Loyola carried its momentum, and lead, into the third and final frame, hitting above .500 and holding Lindenwood to a .083 clip. Fabikovic led the set with four kills and McElligott instrumented the offense with 10 assists. The junior setter closed out the match on a 5-0 run at the service line, setting up Read for the final kill to take the set, 25-17.  

Inside the Box Score 

• The Ramblers hit their second-best all season with a .516 hitting percentage while holding the Lions to just .176.  
• The match saw 25 total service errors, 12 from Loyola and 13 from Lindenwood.  
• Van Buren marked the match-high 11 kills on .529 hitting while adding three digs, two assists and one block assist.  
• Nicodemus Meyer accounted for three block assists and one solo at the net.  

Up Next 
The Ramblers are back in action against the Lions tomorrow night, Friday, March 28 at 7 p.m. inside Gentile Arena.