CHICAGO – No. 8 Loyola Chicago put on a statement performance in Gentile Arena, sweeping No. 14 Lewis, 3-0, to secure its second conference victory of the season and first at home on Thursday, Feb. 12. 

The Ramblers controlled the tempo from the opening serve, capitalizing on a .329 hitting clip and 10.5 total blocks to earn the straight-set win over their longtime league rival. 

Coach Quote: Shane Davis
"After the scrimmage in the fall, we knew what Lewis had coming into this match, but they're pretty banged up with injuries as well. So coming in tonight we had to prepare for a lot of different guys at a lot of different positions. Like our guys, hopefully they get healthy soon too. I'm proud of our guys and how we were able to adapt to all the different personnel that we saw tonight."

SET 1 | Loyola set the tone from the jump, using a 5-1 run to create separation early on in the opener. The Ramblers strong net presence limited Lewis to a .043 hitting clip, marking the lowest hitting percentage against Loyola in a single set so far this season. Daniel Fabikovic reached his 100th kill of the year in the frame while Aleksandar Sosa surpassed 150. The Ramblers took the first set 25-18 and never looked backed. 

SET 2 | The second set was the closest of the night, seeing nine tied scores and four lead changes. Loyola took off on multiple unopposed scoring runs, including a dominant 6-0 streak that forced a Lewis timeout. Shortly after the break, the Ramblers scored three straight points for set point. Both sided traded service errors, eventually ending in Loyola's favor, 25-20. 

SET 3 | In the third and final frame, Loyola posted 3.5 blocks at the net and held Lewis to a .103 hitting clip. Sosa led the set with six kills while Aidan Klein and Fabikovic anchored the defense, putting up two block assists apiece. Rookie Ayden DesLauriers closed out the match on a 4-0 serving run, featuring one ace and two Lewis timeouts, to take the set 25-17. 

Inside the Box Score

• Freshman Oskar Berg Mikkelsen posted career-highs in blocks (5) and kills (4) on .800 hitting. 
• Alex Smits Van Oyen faciliated the offense with 32 assists while contributing two blocks and one ace. 
• Sosa is on a 10-match double-digit kills streak.

Up Next
The Ramblers continue its eight-match homestand and stay home to host the Rockhurst Hawks on Saturday, Feb. 14 at 1 p.m.