Women’s Volleyball Sweeps Saint Louis to Continue in A10 Tournament

Loyola women’s volleyball captured a sweep against Saint Louis University Nov 22, advancing to the semi-final round in the Atlantic 10 tournament. 

The first set started with smart plays by both sides, as the Ramblers gained their first two points with a kill by graduate outside Marta Cvitkovic and an ace by third-year middle Ann Marie Remmes. 

With consecutive kills by fourth-year outside Olivia Lovett and Cvitkovic, the Ramblers gained a 6-3 lead. Saint Louis battled back and gained two kills for a 6-5 score. 

A Saint Louis service error followed by two kills by Cvitkovic and Remmes to make it 12-9. The Ramblers began to run away with the set after two more kills from fourth-year right side Esma Ajanovic and Lovett led to a score of 16-11. 

After another Ajanovic kill and an ace by first-year libero Sam Falk, Saint Louis took their first timeout. 

The Billikens were able to crawl back after Rambler errors, bringing the score to 23-21 and leading Loyola to use their first timeout. The Ramblers eventually captured the first set 25-23 with a kill by second-year middle Avary DeBlieck. 

Loyola came out strong in the second set, going on a 6-3 run. The run consisted of kills by fourth-year setter Bree Borum, DeBlieck, Lovett and Cvitkovic. The rally was bolstered by sturdy defense from first-year defensive specialist Jae Fitting and Falk. 

The Ramblers went on a 6-0 run with two kills by Ajanovic and three kills by Cvitkovic for a score of 13-6, leading to a Saint Louis timeout. 

Out of the timeout, the Billikens scored three straight points. Loyola challenged a touch and won, making it 14-8. 

Saint Louis then challenged a touch on the Ramblers and lost, with the score now 17-12. 

The Billikens battled back after the Ramblers had attack errors. Down 19-17, Loyola took a timeout as they continued to make errors, leading their lead to dwindle to 23-21. 

After Loyola’s second timeout, Saint Louis attack errors allowed the Ramblers to close out the second set 25-22 with a kill by Remmes. 

The third set began with a 3-1 Billikens run, including two kills by first-year outside Addy Brus. After a kill by Lovett, the set was tied at three apiece. 

The Billikens maintained their momentum with three aces, leading Loyola to take a timeout down 11-6. 

The Ramblers gained three consecutive points out of the timeout with a kill by DeBlieck, an ace by Falk and a block by Ajanovic. Following a joust at the net by Borum, the Ramblers closed in on the lead 13-11. 

The Billikens gained four more points after long rallies with strong defense on both sides, pushing Saint Louis ahead 16-12. 

With three back-to-back kills by Cvitkovic, Ajanovic and DeBlieck, the Ramblers brought the score to 20-16, forcing Saint Louis to take a timeout. 

Billikens attack errors followed by a kill by Ajanovic, closing the gap 22-20 and forcing Saint Louis to take their second timeout. 

Out of the timeout, Falk gained an ace for the Ramblers. Ajanovic recorded a kill and an ace followed by a block by Remmes and Borum to give Loyola the 24-23 lead. 

With a kill by Remmes, the Ramblers took the set 26-24 and won their first match of the Atlantic-10 championships.

Head coach Amanda Berkley said she was happy with the team’s performance, especially being down in the third set. 

 “I’m really proud of the team for how they competed today,” said Berkley. “It was great to see the team stay composed and make a comeback in the third set.”