DeBlieck Breaks Block Record, Women’s Volleyball Sweeps George Mason

Loyola women’s volleyball bested George Mason University in three sets Nov. 14. Third-year middle blocker Avary DeBlieck set a new Loyola record for single-season blocks, tallying 149 total blocks. Patriots’ second-year outside hitter Avery Booker took charge for George Mason’s offense with seven kills. 

The Patriots started the first set on a 3-0 run on two Loyola attack errors and a service ace from first-year outside hitter Nia Thompson. The Ramblers responded with a 3-0 run of their own, including a kill from fourth-year middle blocker Ann Marie Remmes, a service ace from first-year outside hitter Leyna Nguyen and a Patriot error to tie the match at three. 

The Patriots’ redshirt first-year middle blocker Mia Hazelett tallied a kill and service ace, which was ignored by three George Mason attack errors. George Mason’s redshirt second-year middle blocker Meredith Brown scored a kill, which third-year setter Emma Henry responded with a service ace to put the Ramblers up at 8-7. 

Brown and Thompson added a kill each, which was met by one from first-year right side hitter Karli Molnau. Remmes swapped kills with Booker and Thompson, and a service ace from Nguyen tied the set at 14 apiece. 

Hazelett answered with a service ace for the Patriots. Remmes tallied another kill, which was countered with a kill by the Patriots’ third-year setter Camryn Weldon. A 4-0 run for the Ramblers included a service ace from Henry and three blocks from DeBlieck.

Booker retaliated with a kill followed by a service ace. Another 4-0 run gave the Ramblers set point and included a block from DeBlieck and a kill from Molnau, along with Patriot errors. Despite a kill from Brown, DeBlieck closed out set one with a kill to make the score 25-20. 

Hazelett and Remmes opened set two by trading kills, followed by another from second-year outside hitter Kaitlyn Burke. Errors from both sides increased the score, but DeBlieck and Brown each added kills to put the Patriots in the lead at 5-4. 

The Ramblers went on a 6-0 run, including two kills from Molnau, a block by second-year outside hitter Kate Maley and Patriot attack errors. Booker attempted to regain momentum with a kill but was met by a block from Maley to give the Ramblers a 12-6 advantage. 

Thompson and Booker exchanged kills with Burke and Remmes. A DeBlieck kill was met with a kill from Brown and an error from each team. A Maley kill was negated by kills from Thompson and Hazelett, but the Ramblers held a 19-15 lead. 

The Patriots’ fourth-year outside hitter Haley Graetz swapped a kill with Burke and DeBlieck, but a second DeBlieck kill gave the Ramblers set point. Burke put away the second set with a kill and a score of 25-18. 

Second-year defensive specialist Jae Fitting started the third set with a service ace and Hazelett responded with a kill. Weldon and Remmes traded kills, and Remmes followed it with a service ace. A block from Brown had the set tied at four. 

The Patriots’ first-year setter Ava Cheney tallied a kill, which Thompson followed with a block. DeBlieck and Maley combined for a block, and Maley added a kill. A block from Remmes put the Ramblers up at 9-8. 

Maley and Graetz traded kills before a 4-0 run for the Ramblers. Maley and Remmes each scored a kill, and the Patriots made two errors. Booker and Maley swapped kills before George Mason went on a 4-0 run, including another Booker kill and a block from Brown and Cheney. 

A Henry block and a kill from Burke were negated by kills from Brown and Booker. Molnau tabbed two kills, which Thompson responded to with a kill and a block. A kill from Hazelett tied the set at 21. 

A block from Henry and Remmes, along with kills from Maley and Remmes, gave the Ramblers match point. A Rambler service error and kill from Graetz gave George Mason hope, but a Patriot attack error gave the match to the Ramblers with a final score of 25-23. 

Head coach Amanda Berkley said she’s proud of the team’s discipline and offensive stats. 

“Tonight was a really good team win,” Berkley said. “I am really proud of everyone for staying disciplined on blocking and handling George Mason’s very tough serving. [Remmes] continues to have a great offensive production, and [Henry] has done a nice job finding her.”

The Ramblers will head to Richmond, Va. to compete in the A10 Championship starting Nov. 21. Loyola was seeded second and will bypass the first round of play. Streaming will be available on ESPN+.