Feb. 20, 2008

Box Score

MUNCIE, Ind. - Kris Berzins recorded a career-high 19 kills on the evening, but it was not enough as No. 11 Loyola University Chicago dropped a 3-1 (33-31, 27-30, 19-30, 32-34) contest to MIVA foe Ball State. With the loss the Ramblers drop to 6-6 (3-2 MIVA) on the year, while the Cardinals move to 10-6 (5-1 MIVA).

The Ramblers and Cardinals began the match trading points until an Ian Anderson kill gave Loyola a 7-6 lead. The Ramblers were able to pull out in front of Ball State 25-22 on a Berzins service ace, but the Cardinals refused to quit as they knotted the score at 27 apiece. The two teams rallied back-and-forth until they were locked at 31, but back-to-back kills by Anderson sealed game one for Loyola.

Determined to bounce back from the set back in game one, Ball State jumped ahead of Loyola 13-7, taking advantage of a pair of Rambler attack errors. The Cardinals held the lead throughout the second game and never surrendered it as they pulled out a 30-27 victory.

The third game was much like game two; the Cardinals got on the board early and never relinquished their lead. Consecutive kills by Ball State's Todd Chamberlain and Matt McCarthy gave the Cardinals a 30-19 win over the visiting Ramblers.

Down two games to one, Loyola would not go quietly as it took advantage of five consecutive Cardinal errors to take a 5-0 lead. Ball State battled back and narrowed Loyola's lead to one (21-20) on a Patrick Durbin kill. Tied at 32, the Ramblers fought hard, but were unable to regain the lead as they dropped the game, 34-32.

Loyola was led by Berzins' 19 kills, six digs and two service aces and George Kamberos contributed 11 kills and a career-high seven digs, while Anderson poured in 13 kills and 10 digs.

Durbin had a match-high 23 kills and 8 digs to lead Ball State.

The Ramblers look to bounce back this weekend at the Lewis Invitational when they take on Cal Baptist and UC San Diego on Friday and Saturday, respectively. Both matches are set for 5 p.m. starts.