Hoosiers Trample Women’s Volleyball in Four Sets

Loyola Women’s volleyball fell to Indiana University in Gentile Arena Sept. 12, losing in four sets during the second match of the Loyola Invitational. 

The Hoosiers started strong with the first point off a service ace from first-year setter Teodora Kričković. First-year outside hitter Karli Molnau responded with a kill to tie the match at one. 

The set remained close early on, with the Ramblers’ defensive play keeping Indiana from pulling ahead more than two points. A slide off the block from fourth-year middle blocker Ann Marie Remmes put Loyola up 9-7 before a long rally with successful digs and saves from both teams tied the match at nine. 

Kicking off a 9-0 run for the Hoosiers were fourth-year outside Candela Alonso-Corcelles and first-year outside hitter Jaidyn Jager, nailing two consecutive kills each. Molnau and Remmes responded with a block for Loyola to put them back on the board. 

Second-year outside Kaitlyn Burke followed with two blocks to bring the score to 18-12, with the Hoosiers still holding a dominant lead. A Rambler error gave Indiana a set point, and an attack error from Loyola gave the first set to Indiana, 25-15. 

The second set started with a 5-0 run from the Hoosiers with two kills from Jager and a fierce block by fourth-year outside Avry Tatum before two service errors put the Ramblers on the scoreboard.

The Ramblers struggled to gain their footing as back-to-back kills from second-year middle blocker Ella Boersema gave Indiana a nine-point lead. 

After a Ramblers’ timeout, block assists from Burke and third-year middle blocker Avary DeBlieck brought the score to 11-4. A service ace from first-year setter Ava Hunter gave the momentum to the Ramblers, and a kill from graduate setter Josie Halbleib put them within five points. 

The Hoosiers faltered with two attack errors, bringing the score to 14-10 before Burke answered, tallying three kills for the Ramblers. 

Burke and Molnau traded kills with Jager throughout the back end of the set, fueling the energy of both teams and keeping the match within three points. Indiana pulled away with five combined kills from Jager and Tatum, giving Indiana the second set with a score of 25-19. 

Three attack errors from the Ramblers handed the Hoosiers an early lead at the start of the third set. The Ramblers quickly responded with a 5-0 run off with kills from Remmes to put them up 13-8. 

First-year outside Leyna Nguyen gave the Ramblers much-needed momentum with three kills in the first few plays. After subbing in, second-year libero Jae Fitting tied the set at six with a service ace. A kill from the Hoosiers’ Boersema brought it to a seven point tie before Jager added a kill to tie the match at eight. 

The set went back and forth with attack errors on both sides before the Ramblers went on another 5-0 run, aided by Molnau kills. A tip over the net from Halbleib followed up with another kill pushed the score to 21-14, the Ramblers’ largest lead of the match. 

Molnau and Remmes held the Ramblers’ lead with a block assist before Remmes hit the set-winning kill. The third set ended with a score of 25-19 in favor of Loyola, sending the match to a fourth set. 

Early errors from the Ramblers, including a ball-handling error, gave the Hoosiers the upper hand. Kills from Tatum and Alonso-Corcelles brought Indiana to a five-point lead before the Ramblers called a timeout. 

Returning from the timeout, the two teams battled it out in a long rally that showcased their defensive strengths and earned the Ramblers a point after a Hoosiers’ attack error. 

Service aces from Alonso-Corcelles and first-year defensive specialist Avery Freeman put the Hoosiers in the lead by eight points before another electric rally with multiple Rambler saves brought the score to 14-8. 

Two more kills each from Halbleib and Nguyen helped the Ramblers stay in the game, but Jager carried the Hoosiers through to set point with three more kills, bringing the first-year’s total for the night to 13 kills. 

After two consecutive kills from Jager, the match score sat at 24-15 before a kill from Tatum secured the win for Indiana, finishing the fourth set with a score of 25-16. 

As the Ramblers look ahead to the final match of the Loyola Invitational, head coach Amanda Berkley said the team will focus on playing simpler on defense and Halbleib said she continues to strive to embrace the joy of collegiate volleyball. 

“I think the biggest thing is to remember that this is fun,” Halbleib said. “We’re getting to do what we love and remembering why we’re here and why we get to play is a really huge thing to keep me calm.” 

The Ramblers take on the University of Minnesota in Gentile Arena Sept. 19th at 6 p.m. Streaming will be available on ESPN+.