Sept. 24, 2005

Box Score |  Notes

CHICAGO - Hilary Stromath had 15 kills and Kelly Zins added 13 kills and 10 digs as Loyola University Chicago claimed a 30-24, 30-26, 32-30 win over the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Saturday afternoon at Alumni Gym.

Sarah Moore and Melissa David had 11 kills apiece for the Panthers (7-7, 0-2 Horizon), who dropped to 0-2 in league play for the first time since 1994.

Ann Deelo led Loyola's defensive effort with 19 digs, as the Ramblers (3-9, 2-0) limited the Panthers to a .178 hitting percentage.

Loyola controlled the first game, jumping to a 17-11 lead following a pair of aces by Sarah Elmer and a UWM error. The Panthers rallied to within 21-18 on a kill by Moore, only to see the Ramblers respond with four-straight points to rebuild a 25-18 edge. UWM again fought back, pulling within 26-24. But a pair of UWM errors helped finish the game off in favor of the Ramblers.

After a slow start, UWM looked like they might be on track in game two. The Panthers trailed 8-4 early in the frame before rallying to claim a 16-12 advantage on a kill by Leanne Felsing. But Loyola rallied to tie the game at 17 and then took the lead for good at 20-19 on a kill by Elmer. The Panthers did pull within two on a pair of occassions down the stretch, but a kill by Stromath gave Loyola a 2-0 lead in the match.

Neither team led by more than two points in game three, with the Panthers forging a game-point opportunity at 29-28. A kill by Zins kept Loyola alive in the game and, after UWM fought off a match-point chance at 30-29, the Ramblers scored points on a kill by Zins and a block by Courtney Ashley and Melissa Craig to wrap things up.

UWM returns to action Friday night, hosting Wright State in the first of seven-straight home league matches.