CORALVILLE, Iowa - Loyola Chicago women's volleyball rallied from down two sets to none to notch a comeback 3-2 victory (20-25, 22-25, 28-26, 25-22, 15-9) against Illinois State in the opening match of Kiwi Star Classic.

The non-conference victory improved the Ramblers' overall record to 2-2 on the season.

"What another gritty match," said head coach Amanda Berkley. "I am really proud of the whole team being ready when called upon. Josie came in and made a difference right away. She had a great night attacking. I thought serving was a difference maker and was proud of Claire coming in and mixing up her serve. Overall, a lot to learn from this match but proud of the team for persevering."

Loyola was led by a fourth consecutive double-double from Leyna Nguyen, who registered 10 kills and 10 digs on the day. Josie Halbleib also added 15 kills to help the attack. On the defensive end, Sam Falk chipped in with 20 digs to go with four blocks from Avary DeBlieck.

How It Happened
SET 1 | The Ramblers fell behind early, losing the first set 25-20. Illinois State grabbed the advantage for good at 14-13 in a set that was tied up six times before the Redbirds took over in the second half of the stanza. Nguyen heated up early with four of her kills in the first, but ISU's eight blocks proved to be a difference maker.

SET 2 | Loyola  fell in set two 25-22, digging a 2-0 deficit in the match. The Ramblers trailed by as many as six points as Illinois State grabbed the advantage for good at 10-9 in a set that was knotted up seven times before the Redbirds took over the lead. ISU registered seven more kills than Loyola in the second.

SET 3 | Loyola got on the board after a victory in set three to make it a 2-1 match. The Ramblers took the set 28-26 thanks to a strong performance on the attacking end. Loyola registered a .306 attack percentage with 19 kills in the set win. After the lead changed hands two times, the Ramblers took control for good at 26-25 and rode that advantage to victory. Halbleib led Loyola with six kills, while five other Ramblers tallied at least two in the set.

SET 4 | The Ramblers kept the comeback train rolling, winning the fourth set 25-22 to bring the match level at two sets apiece. A strong showing on the attacking end led the Ramblers to victory in the set. Loyola put together a .400 attack percentage with 15 kills in the set win. The Ramblers rallied from down six at 15-9 to grab the win. Loyola also supplemented their offense with five aces in the set. Halbleib delivered two of those aces and added another four kills to her total.

SET 5 | Loyola dropped the first two sets, but mounted a furious rally to grab the next three sets, culminating in a 15-9 fifth-set victory, and take the match 3-2. The Ramblers grabbed control of the set-five lead at 3-2 and held it the rest of the way. Loyola ended strong, opening its biggest lead of the stanza, six points, to close out the match.

Game Notes

• Loyola had four players in double figures in kills. Halbleib led with 15, while Kaitlyn Burke, DeBlieck, and Nguyen added 10 each.
• Loyola  had three players in double figures in digs. Nguyen posted her fourth straight double-double with 10 digs. Falk tallied a team-high 20 and Jae Fitting recorded 14.
• Halbleib notched a double-double adding 23 assists to her match-leading 15 kills. She also finished the match hitting .519 to lead both teams.
• Ava Hunter added 22 assists.
• Falk had a match-high four aces in the win.