No.9 Ramblers Drop to Lewis University in Homestand Finale

The Loyola men’s volleyball team were upset by No. 14 Lewis University while looking to defend their nine game win streak at home. 

The opening set started with back-and-forth play as second-year outside hitter Jake Read’s service error gave the Flyers the first point. The Ramblers answered with kills from Read and fourth-year middle blocker Nicodemus Meyer, tying the game at two. 

Lewis’ redshirt second-year middle blocker Shawn Baggs Jr. capitalized on a Loyola defensive miscue, and third-year outside hitter Daniel Haber and third-year opposite hitter Oguzhan Oguz contributed key kills to push the Flyers ahead 7-3.

Loyola found their rhythm after a Lewis service error, as redshirt fourth-year outside hitter Parker Van Buren’s kill cut the deficit to 9-5. Strong blocking by Baggs Jr. and fourth-year outside hitter Max Roquet extended the Flyers’ lead to 14-10.

After a Loyola timeout, Fabikovic secured a kill to keep the Ramblers close, but Lewis’ offensive pressure held firm as Roquet registered two kills and an ace to stay up 19-14.

Loyola attempted to mount a comeback with a Van Buren ace, narrowing the gap to 20-18. Rambler errors and a block assist by first-year middle blocker Fredrick Krueger-Beer, Roquet, and fourth-year setter Tyler Morgan. 

Lewis took the first set 25-21 with a kill by Krueger-Beer.

Loyola opened the second set with a kill from Meyer off an assist by third-year setter Ryan McElligott. The Flyers remained aggressive with Roquet and Haber notching three straight kills to keep the score tied at three. 

After a long point-for-point sequence, a service ace by Fabikovic gave the Ramblers the tie at eight, but Lewis continued to apply pressure. Oguzhan and Baggs Jr. control of the net put the Flyers up 10-8.

Both teams showcased strong defensive play as McElligott delivered a solo block to regain momentum, and a kill from Van Buren after a long rally and an attack error by Oguz put the Ramblers ahead 12-10. Lewis responded with a 4-0 run — including an ace by Oguz — to reclaim the lead 15-12.

The Flyers extended their advantage to 19-16 behind a strong kill from Haber, forcing a Loyola timeout. Out of the break, Van Buren tabbed back-to-back kills and an ace to bring Loyola within one. Despite the late surge, a kill from Roquet and a crucial block by Baggs Jr. and Oguz sealed Lewis’ 25-21 second-set win.

Loyola and Lewis opened the third set by trading early errors before Read and Van Buren combined for a kill to award the first point to Loyola.  A Fabikovic service error evened the score, and Lewis capitalized on another Loyola attack error to take a 2-1 lead. Van Buren responded with a strong kill, but a service error from Meyer gave the Flyers the lead back.

Read secured two key kills and Bell made a strong block to keep Loyola close down 5-4, while Oguz found openings within the Rambler defense to keep Lewis ahead. Second-year setter Alex Smits Van Oyen added a kill for Loyola to take a 7-6 lead before a Lewis service error widened the gap. 

Loyola continued to press and extend the 10-7 lead after another Van Buren kill and attack error by Oguz. Lewis called a timeout to regroup, but Meyer followed with another kill to keep Loyola in control at 12-8.

Lewis answered back as Krueger-Beer found a hole in Loyola’s block, and Harber contributed a service ace to cut the deficit to 13-10.

Fabikovic countered with a powerful kill, but Oguz kept the Flyers in the set with a well-placed kill over the right side to narrow the score to 14-12. A service ace by Morgan added pressure on Loyola as the Flyers tied things at 15.

Krueger-Beer put Lewis ahead 18-17 with a kill, but a block assist from Read and Bell put Loyola back in front at 19-18. The lead switched again as Morgan completed a service ace for Lewis, prompting a Loyola timeout at 20-19.

Out of the break, Van Buren delivered another kill, only for Haber to immediately answer with one of his own. The teams continued to exchange clutch plays, with a Fabikovic kill tabbing set point for Loyola at 24-23.

After a Lewis service error for set point, Fabikovic sealed the 25-23 third set with a kill off a Smits Van Oyen assist.

The Flyers struck first in the fourth set with a service ace by Roquet. A Van Buren kill off an assist from third-year libero J.J. Sowa tied the score at three, and Van Buren scored another service ace, putting Loyola up 4-2. 

The teams continued trading points, with Oguz and Van Buren exchanging kills. Loyola built a small lead at 7-4 after a block assist from Bell and Fabikovic that forced a Lewis timeout.

Loyola extended their lead to 8-4 with a Read kill, but Lewis responded with a block assist from Haber and Krueger-Beer.

Fabikovic and Roquet exchanged kills, tying the teams in a 10-10 stalemate. Following a bad set by Smits Van Oyen and an Oguz kill, the Flyers then took their first lead of the set at 12-11 with a Haber kill.

Loyola tied the set at 15, but a service ace from Haber put the Flyers ahead again. Oguz and Roquet found openings in the Rambler defense as Haber came with another kill. The strong press was capitalized on with a service ace, pushing the Flyers to a 20-16 advantage.

Loyola attempted a late push with kills from Fabikovic and Van Buren, but the Flyers kept steady control, reaching set point at 24-19 after a Roquet kill. 

A Read kill briefly kept the Ramblers alive before a service error on the following play handed Lewis the set 25-20 and secured their upset victory.

During the loss, Van Buren notched a double-double while McElligott and Smits Van Oyen combined for 43 assists, but the Ramblers were held to a .219% hitting percentage, their lowest of the season so far. 

“We’ve gotta obviously start better,” Davis said. “I think we just need to be tougher. Lewis came out and punched in the mouth and we didn’t react. We started separating a little bit as a group instead of coming together in those tough moments. So we need to be a better team, essentially after that.”

Loyola will hop on the road to continue conference play in Fort Wayne, Ind., facing Purdue University Fort Wayne, Friday, March 14th at 6 p.m. with broadcasting on ESPN+.