CHICAGO – No. 8 Loyola Chicago bested first-year conference opponent Northern Kentucky in straight sets on Thursday, Feb. 26 inside Gentile Arena. The Ramblers were led offensively by Aidan Klein with eight kills on .889 hitting and at the net by Ryan McElligott and Brad Bell. 

Loyola improved to 9-4 overall and 3-1 in Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association play.  

Coaches Quote: Shane Davis 
"We've had 12 days off, which I think being away from the gym for a few days and being able to get healthy and rest a little bit helped a lot from a training standpoint. You know, keeping things fresh, keeping the guys hungry. Anytime you can get a lot of guys in a match is good morale for the group and it keeps our energy levels up. Tyler [Howard] and Lukas [Anderson] did a nice job stepping in for us. Both those guys have a ton of confidence. Last year when Parker Van Buren was out with his injury, Tyler came in and led us in kills at Ball State. So, there's a ton of faith in these guys in position, and Tyler especially, and so it's been good and shows our depth as a team."

How It Happened
SET 1 | Northern Kentucky got on the board first, but Loyola took the lead quickly after and never looked back/trailed for the rest of the match. Klein led the set with three kills on perfect hitting. The Norses staved off one set point before a service error put it away for the Ramblers, 25-13. 

SET 2 | Set two was closer, seeing two ties. Both sides were plagued by service errors in frame, giving up 12 total points to the net. Three straight Northern Kentucky attack errors gave Loyola the set at 25-16. 

SET 3 | The Norses stayed within six throughout the final set. A kill from junior Lukas Anderson put Loyola at match point and Klein closed out the match with his eighth spike of the night, sealing it 25-18. 

Inside the Box Score 

• Redshirt sophomore Tyler Howard made his first start this season, contributing five kills, a career-high three digs and one ace. 
• Senior setter Ryan McElligott made his return on the court tonight, adding 20 assists, three digs, two blocks and a kill. He was previously injured after night two in Hawai'i (Jan. 9).  
• Redshirt junior Bryce Robbins started the third set and totaled two kills in the frame.  
• Junior Lukas Anderson set career-highs with two kills and one block.  

Up Next 
The Ramblers stay home to host the No. 13 Ohio State Buckeyes on Sunday, March 1 at 2 p.m.