More than a thousand fans packed into Gentile Arena to watch women’s volleyball’s home opening game against the University of Utah, which they lost.
More than a thousand fans packed into Gentile Arena to watch women’s volleyball’s home opening game against the University of Utah, which they lost.
The Loyola women’s volleyball team was swept in three sets by the University of Utah in their home opener in Gentile Arena Sept. 13. More than 1,000 fans showed up to support the Ramblers from the stands.
The Ramblers started strong in the first set, jumping out to a quick 4-0 lead with help from second-year middle blocker Avary DeBlieck, resulting in Utah calling an early time out.
Utah fought hard, rattling off a 6-2 run to draw even with the Ramblers. Loyola shook off the slide, going on a 7-2 run to increase their advantage to 16-9.
Two service errors from Utah grew the rambler lead further. Utah managed to get back on top, though, with five points scored in only seven rallies, bringing the score to 21-20.
The final plays of the set were neck-and-neck. Kills by Deblieck and blocks from first-year outside hitter Kate Maley and third year middle blocker Ann Marie Remmes weren’t enough as Utah took the first set 29-27.
Both teams struggled to gain a substantial lead in the start of the second set. The two teams traded the lead six times.
The Ramblers eventually picked up a few points, reaching a score of 18-14, with kills from fourth-year setter Bree Borum and graduate outside hitter Marta Cvitkovic. A kill by Borum gave Loyola the lead 20-17, before Utah exploded for eight straight points and captured the second set 25-20.
Loyola attempted to catch up to Utah’s hot start, but ended up down 9-4 early in the set. Utah continued to pile on, adding on nine points — some coming during a five-point run — to bring the score up to 18-9.
Loyola managed to stay alive, scoring 11 to Utah’s six, only to end up down three points with the score standing at 23-20. Utah collected set points before securing the sweep with a 25-20 set win.
After the loss to Utah, Loyola’s record now stands at 2-5 on the season.
The Ramblers will return to the court Sept. 19 against the University of Illinois-Chicago at the McGrath-Philips Arena. The matchup is the first for the Ramblers during the Chicago Cup, which also sees them take on DePaul University two days later.
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