Jan. 19, 2008

Box Score

CHICAGO - The No.14 Loyola University Chicago men's volleyball team improved to 3-0 on the season (2-0 MIVA) with a 3-0 (30-26, 30-27, 30-26) sweep over visiting Lees-McRae on Saturday afternoon. With the loss the Bobcats fell to 0-2 on the year.

The Ramblers jumped ahead early in game one taking a 5-2 lead on a couple of sevices aces from junior outside hitter Joe Guntli and senior opposite hitter Ian Anderson. Despite hitting only .176 in the first game, Loyola was able to hold on to its lead and take game one by a score of 30-26.

Game two was a back and forth affair which saw 19 ties and six lead changes. Sophomore outside hitter Kris Berzins led the Ramblers in the second game with six kills and a pair of service aces. With the score locked at 26, the Ramblers were able to pull ahead on kills by Anderson, Berzins and sophomore opposite hitter Michael Morice and eventually win game two 30-27 and take a 2-0 advantage into the locker room.

Game three was much of the same, as the Ramblers and Bobcats traded points throughout. Down 22-21, Loyola was able to take the lead for good on back-to-back kills by Guntli and Anderson. Junior middle blocker Nick Lamoureux finished the game and match with a pair of kills to give the Ramblers the victory.

Anderson had a game-high 15 kills as redshirt setter Mike Hutz tallied 48 assists and 15 digs for the Ramblers.

Loyola will host the top-ranked BYU Cougars on Monday, January 21. First serve is set for 7 p.m.