QUINCY, Ill. – Quincy University's men's volleyball team opened up conference play against the #13 Loyola Chicago Ramblers on Friday night (Feb. 5). The Hawks were swept in three sets 25-20, 25-18, and 25-19. 

1st Set
In the opening set, both offenses struggled to gain traction. Loyola hit .192 in the first set while Quincy only managed a .061 hitting percentage. QU had 12 kills to Loyola's 10, but the Hawks committed 10 attacking errors in set number one. Loyola Chicago took their first timeout of the game after Quincy gained a 16-14 lead on the heels of back-to-back attack errors. After the short break, the visitors went on a 9-1 run where Quincy called both timeouts to try and stop Loyola's momentum. After the run, the Ramblers were up 23-17, and rode the momentum wave to a set one win. 

2nd Set
Service errors was the main factor in set number two. Quincy struggled to start set pieces after committing eight service errors while Loyola had none. This and a 5-1 run put QU behind the eight ball from the start of set two. Despite the serving woes, Quincy's attack came alive for 15 kills on 30 attempts with only two errors for a hitting percentage of .433 in the set. But when Quincy got close or tied the score, the Ramblers had an answer to keep the lead. The Hawks cut the game to 21-18 late in the set which forced Loyola to take a timeout, but after the recess, the Ramblers rattled off four straight to take the second set, 25-18.

3rd Set
The visiting team was efficient in Friday's final frame. The Ramblers hit .577 with 17 kills on 26 total attacks and only two errors. Quincy worked an early 5-5 tie following kills from Michael Ladner and Zach Reider, then took a 7-6 lead after a Loyola service error and a service ace by Ladner. QU held another lead shortly after when the score moved to 9-8, but both teams traded points and were deadlocked at 12-12 following another kill by Ladner. Loyola slipped past QU after gaining a 20-16 lead down the stretch. Quincy was unable to finish the comeback in a third set defeat, 25-19.

Stat Leaders
Omari Wheeler - 10 kills 
Yoran Raymaekers - 32 assists
Noam Hannoun - 9 digs

Quincy will have another crack at the #13 Ramblers tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m.