March 12, 2008

Box Score

CHICAGO - No. 15 Loyola University Chicago received a team-high 20 kills from Ian Anderson, but it would not be enough as the Ramblers dropped a hard-fought battle to MIVA foe Lewis, by a final margin of 3-2. Loyola fell 26-30, 30-24, 25-30, 30-24, 12-15 and slips to 10-9 on the season (4-2 MIVA), while the Flyers improve to 13-6 (4-2 MIVA).

Joe Guntli started off game one with six consecutive serves, including a trio of aces, to give Loyola a 6-1 advantage. The Flyers chipped away at the Ramblers' lead and tied the game at 15 apiece on a Billy Sahagian ace. The two teams traded points until the Flyers pulled out in front 27-24 on a kill by Brian Muesenfechter. Lewis never surrendered its lead as it held on to win, 30-26.

In game two, the Ramblers jumped ahead of the Flyers, 15-7, behind the strength of four consecutive kills, two by Guntli and another pair by Anderson. Loyola refused to relinquish its lead and they led by as much as 27-18 lead before pulling out a 30-24 victory.

The third game was close early on, as the teams traded points back-and-forth until they were knotted at six. A kill by Muesenfechter sparked a Lewis rally as the Flyers took a four-point lead (15-11). The visitors took advantage of back-to-back Rambler miscues late in the game and claimed game three by a score of 30-25.

After falling behind early in game four, the Ramblers fought back and evened the score at nine. A George Kamberos kill gave the hosts their first lead of the game, 10-9. Up 27-21 on an Anderson kill, the Ramblers locked up game four 30-24, forcing a fifth and deciding game.

Game five was a battle throughout, as the two teams were tied eight times and exchanged leads three times. With the score tied at 11-11, the Flyers rattled off four points to win the game, 15-12.

Anderson led the Ramblers with a team-high 20 kills and seven digs. Kamberos knocked down a career-high 18 kills and registered nine digs on the evening. Guntli notched a career-high five service aces and recorded 12 kills, while Nick Lamoureux contributed 11 kills. Mike Hutz recorded his fifth double-double of the season with 51 assists and 10 digs.

The Ramblers look to get back on the winning track on Friday, March 14, when they host NJIT in a non-conference match. First serve is set for 7 p.m.