Jan. 27, 2007

Box Score

HONOLULU - After earning a five-game victory against No. 3 Hawai'i on the road on Friday night, the No. 13 Loyola University Chicago men's volleyball team could not continue its momentum against No. 2 Brigham Young, losing 30-16, 30-22, 30-22 on Saturday night at the Stan Sheriff Center.

Senior middle blocker James Grunst led the Ramblers (4-2, 1-1 MIVA) in kills for the first match this season with 12 on 22 attempts for a .364 hitting percentage. Junior opposite hitter Ian Anderson notched nine kills and one service ace.

The first game indicated how the rest of the match would be controlled by BYU (8-0, 4-0 MPSF). The Cougars out-hit the Ramblers .577 to .036 and used an early 12-3 run to storm out to a commanding 20-9 lead that was never threatened.

The Ramblers managed their highest hitting percentage in game two, .105, but could only get to within three points of the Cougars at 19-16. From that point, BYU used a 6-1 run to build a comfortable advantage.

Loyola tied the third game at 14 after an error by Ivan Perez but could not prevent an 8-2 by the Cougars that solidified the match-clinching victory.

Senior setter Brian Guntli coordinated the Rambler attack with 33 assists and led the team with a .375 hitting percentage with three kills on eight attempts. The Cougars hit .394 compared to .069 for the Ramblers.

BYU's Yosleyder Cala had a match-high 14 kills and added three blocks while Rodnei Santos led with six blocks. Yamil Perez coordinated the Cougar attack with 38 assists.

Freshman Krisjanis Berzins led the Loyola defense with nine digs while Nathan Gustus chipped in nine. Three different Loyola players were credited with one block apiece as the Cougars outblocked the Ramblers, 13 to 1.5.

Loyola returns to action at 7 p.m. on Tuesday against Carthage in Alumni Gym.