Jan. 26, 2008

Box Score

CHICAGO - Senior opposite hitter Ian Anderson recorded a team-high 23 kills, but it was not enough as No. 14 Loyola dropped a 3-1 (31-29, 20-30, 26-30, 29-31) decision to 12th-ranked George Mason. With the loss the Ramblers fall to 4-2 on the season (2-0 MIVA), while the Patriots improve to 4-1 (0-0 EIVA).

The Ramblers got on the board early in game one as they took the lead on a service ace by redshirt freshman setter Mike Hutz. But the Patriots refused to go quietly as they battled back to tie the game at 11 all. Overall, game one saw a total of nine ties and six lead changes. With the score knotted at 29, junior outside hitter Joe Guntli knocked in a pair of kills to give the Ramblers a 31-29 victory.

Loyola dug itself into an early hole in game two as the Ramblers trailed 6-11 going into their first timeout. Unfortunately for the Ramblers, they were unable to overcome the deficit as they dropped game two by a score of 30-20.

Tied at one a piece going into game three, the Ramblers and the Patriots traded points as the third game of the evening saw eight ties. Loyola was able to take the lead (23-22) on a service ace by Anderson, but back-to-back kills by Kyle Gramit gave the Patriots their final lead of the game as they took a 25-23 advantage. The Ramblers eventually dropped game three by a score of 26-30.

Trying to rally and force a fifth game, Loyola fought hard in game four as the Ramblers and Patriots were tied 14 times and traded leads four times. Despite hitting .361 as a team in game four, Loyola's rally came up just short as the Patriots took the game and match.

Anderson tallied 23 kills, two blocks and a pair of aces on the evening while Guntli and sophomore outside hitter Kris Berzins recorded 16 kills apiece. Hutz notched a season-best 58 assists and recorded three aces for the second time in as many nights.

Kyle Gramit led the Patriots with a game-high 30 kills, seven block assists and a pair of aces while hitting .625 in the match.

The Ramblers hit the road next week when they go head-to-head with MIVA foes Mercyhurst and No. 8 Ohio State on February 1 and 2, respectively. First serve for both matches is set for 6 p.m.