PHOENIX – No. 6 Loyola Chicago survived a five-set thriller against No. 11 Stanford on Saturday, Jan. 17, outlasting the Cardinals 3-2 at the First Point Collegiate Challenge in Phoenix, Ariz. The Ramblers were led by Aleksandar Sosa and Daniel Fabikovic, who carried the offensive load, each reaching 20+ kills on over .400 hitting, while the Ramblers leaned on timely blocking and clutch side-out play in the final two sets. 

Coach Quote: Shane Davis
"Anytime you're in a five-set match against a team like Stanford, it's about toughness and trust. I'm really proud of how our guys answered every time we got punched. Sosa and Fabi were huge for us offensively, but what stood out was our composure in the fourth and fifth sets. We stayed aggressive, trusted our training and found the way to finish. It's the kind of win that can really build belief in a team."

How It Happened
SET 1 | Stanford jumped out early behind strong serving pressure and an efficient attack. Loyola hung close through the middle of the set, getting kills from Fabikovic and Jake Read, but the Cardinals closed on a 5-2 run to take the opener 25-21.

SET 2 | The Ramblers answered with their cleanest offensive set of the night, hitting over .450 as a team. Sosa went off from the left pin, scoring repeatedly in transition, while Aidan Klein added key blocks at the net. After Stanford tied it late, Loyola won four of the final five points, capped by a Fabikovic kill to even the match at one set apiece.

SET 3 | Neither team led by more than three for most of the frame. Loyola built a late 20-19 edge behind kills from Sosa and Read, but Stanford responded with a mini-run, using strong middle play to steal the set 25-23 and move within one of the match.

SET 4 | Facing elimination, Loyola showed poise and put together a .500 attack percentage and three service aces. The Ramblers trailed 20-17 before rattling off a late surge, sparked by back-to-back kills from Fabikovic and a key block from Klein. After multiple ties at 22 and 23, Klein delivered a service ace and Loyola forced a fifth set with a dramatic 26-24 fourth set win.

SET 5 | The decisive set was tight throughout, featuring 11 tied scores and four lead changes; neither team led by more than two points in the set. Sosa and Fabikovic continued to trade big swings with Stanford. At 13-13, Loyola reached match point after a triple block by Sosa, Read and Brad Bell and the Ramblers took the match, 15-13, after a kill by Sosa, sending the Ramblers into celebration. 

Inside the Box Score

• Loyola attackers combined to hit .390 in the match; Sosa led the charge with a match-high 26 kills. 
• Klein set a career-high seven blocks against Stanford and had the team-high two service aces. 
• Setter Alex Smits Van Oyen had the team-high 10 digs and a career-high 54 assists. 

Up Next 
The Ramblers close out the FPCC against the No. 1 UCLA Bruins tomorrow night, Sunday, Jan. 18 at 8 p.m. CT.