CHICAGO -- No. 8 Loyola Chicago fell 3-1 to No. 19 Purdue Fort Wayne on Saturday, March 7 inside Gentile Arena. The Ramblers are now 11-5 overall and 5-2 in Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) play.
Junior middle Aidan Klein finished with nine kills on .400 hitting to lead Loyola's offense, and senior libero JJ Sowa had nine digs, pacing the Ramblers' defense.
Coach Quote: Shane Davis
"Obviously not the result we wanted, and all the credit to Purdue Fort Wayne. They outblocked us and were much more clean at the service line. We know what we need to correct moving forward in conference play. Despite the outcome, it was a really special night to have our 1996 team here and be able to honor them for how much they've done for our program, being the foundation of it all. Having their support means everything, and like I've said before, we're a family."
How It Happened
SET 1 | The Ramblers took control of the set-one lead at 6-5 and never looked back to win it 25-23. Loyola led by as many as four points at 19-15 before closing out the set.
SET 2 | Loyola then lost the second set 25-20, tying the match at a set apiece. Purdue Fort Wayne grabbed the advantage for good at 16-15 in a set that was knotted up nine times before the Mastodons took over in the second half of the stanza.
SET 3 | A third-set loss put Loyola down 2-1. The Ramblers came up short 25-20, with the Mastodons grabbing the lead for good at 11-10. The stanza saw 12 tied scores before Purdue Fort Wayne carried their advantage to victory.
SET 4 | Loyola lost the fourth and final set, 25-15. The Ramblers trailed by as many as 11 points and weren't able to recover in a set that was tied up six times before the Mastodons took over.
Inside the Box Score
Up Next
The Ramblers close out their eight-match homestand against the Queens Royals with a two-match series beginning on Friday, March 13 at 6 p.m., followed by a rematch on Saturday, March 14 at 5 p.m.
