The Ramblers dominated in a reverse sweep against Illinois State Sept. 4 in Coralville, Iowa at the Kiwi Star Classic Invitational. Graduate setter Josie Halbleib led the Ramblers, tallying 15 kills and 23 assists.
The Redbirds started off the first set with kills from third-year outside hitter Abby Reck and fourth-year middle blocker Hannah Reichensperger. The Ramblers answered with kills from third-year middle blocker Avary DeBlieck and first-year outside hitter Leyna Nguyen, but errors gave Illinois State a 6-3 lead.
Fourth-year middle blocker Ann Marie Remmes scored an ace, followed by a Nguyen kill, which tied the set at nine. Back-to-back errors kept the set close, but two service aces from second-year libero Sam Falk pulled the Ramblers ahead 13-12. The Redbirds combated with kills from second-year right-side hitter Ruth Ziegler and Reck.
Rambler errors and a kill gave Illinois State a 17-13 lead. In response, Nguyen, Burke and Remmes each tallied a kill. Second-year outside hitter Oliwia Caputa brought the momentum back to the Redbirds with a kill. Reck added a kill, giving Illinois State a set point at 24-20. The Redbirds took set one on the next point, with a block from Reck and Richensperger.
A kill from second-year middle blocker Khenedi Guest and Reck started the second set for the Redbirds. Nguyen added a kill for the Ramblers, tying the game at three.
First-year middle blocker Karli Molnau, DeBlieck and Nguyen added kills for the Ramblers, and redshirt third-year right-side hitter Logan Grevengoed, first-year setter Ella Craggs and Reichensperger each gained a kill for the Redbirds, evening the score at eight.
A spree of kills for the Redbirds from Guest, Ziegler and Reichensperger, along with Rambler errors, increased the lead for the Redbirds 18-13.
Burke added two kills for the Ramblers, but Reck and Guest kept the Redbird lead. A block by Remmes and Molnau closed the gap down to 24-20. Despite the comeback attempt from the Ramblers, a Grevengoed kill secured the second set for Illinois State, 25-22.
4-0 for the Redbirds, consisting of kills from Caputa, Reck and Grevengoed, started off the third set. Halbleib and Nguyen answered with a kill each, closing the gap 7-5.
The Ramblers went on a 5-0 run with kills from DeBlieck and Halbleib to tie the set at 11. Both sides traded kills from Burke and Nguyen for the Ramblers and Caputa and Reck for the Redbirds. Back-to-back Reichensperger kills, as well as a Ziegler kill, allowed the Redbirds to regain the lead 18-16.
Despite two Halbleib kills, Grevengoed and Guest kills and Rambler errors gave Illinois State match point 24-23. Nguyen and Remmes secured a block, followed by a kill from second-year outside hitter Kate Maley, who tied the set at 24.
Caputa added a kill for the Redbirds, which was combated with kills by Burke and Maley, giving Loyola a set point, 26-25. A DeBlieck kill, followed by a service ace from first-year setter Ava Hunter kept the Ramblers in the game, winning set three 28-26.
The fourth set began with kills from Guest, Reck and Grevengoed for the Redbirds and Falk and Halbleib for the Ramblers, tying the set at three. Guest and Zeigler added kills for Illinois State while Burke and DeBlieck furthered Loyola, putting them up 8-7.
Grevengoed tabbed back-to-back kills, followed by fifth-year libero Arianna Rossi adding two aces, giving the Redbirds the lead 12-9.
The momentum stayed with the Redbirds with kills from Reck and Reichensperger and another Rossi ace. Halbleib brought energy to the Ramblers with a kill and two aces, closing the gap 15-12.
A three-point run for the Ramblers, consisting of an ace from second-year outside hitter Claire Van Den Herik and kills from Burke and Remmes, put the Ramblers within one. An ace and kill from Remmes gave the Ramblers an 18-17 lead.
Reck, Guest and Zeigler added kills for Illinois State, which the Ramblers responded to with kills from Maley and Burke, tying the set at 22.
Consecutive kills from Halbleib brought Loyola to set point, and a Falk ace sent the match to a fifth set, with a 25-22 conclusion.
Reichensperger tallied back-to-back kills to start the fifth set, but Halbleib answered with a kill of her own for the Ramblers. Another Reichensperger kill tied the set at three. Van Den Herik added two kills as well as a Falk ace, putting the Ramblers ahead 7-4.
The Redbirds tried to gain momentum with a block by Guest and a Grevengoed kill but were shut down by Remmes, securing two kills and an ace for the Ramblers, putting them up 10-7.
A block from DeBlieck and Van Den Herik, along with kills from Halbleib and DeBlieck, closed out the fifth set for the Ramblers, 15-9, taking the match 3-2.
Head coach Amanda Berkley commented on the resilience she saw from the team and the versatility of her players.
“What another gritty match,” said Berkley. “I am really proud of the whole team being ready when called upon. Josie came in and made a difference right away. She had a great night attacking. I thought serving was a difference maker and was proud of Claire coming in and mixing up her serve.”
The Ramblers take on the University of Minnesota in Gentile Arena Sept. 19th at 6 p.m. Streaming will be available on ESPN+
