Loyola Powers Past Windsor, 3-0

CHICAGO (Jan. 8, 2009) - Senior Kris Berzins and sophomore Mike Bunting had 15 kills each to lead the Loyola University Chicago men's volleyball team to a 3-0 (30-24, 30-21, 30-27) sweep over Windsor on Friday night (Jan. 8) in Alumni Gym. The win closes out a two-match set between the two teams, with the Ramblers taking all six sets.

Loyola jumped out to an early 8-2 lead in the first set after kills from sophomore Domenic Dewaele and Berzins. Windsor reeled off the next three points and eventually cut Loyola's lead to one (13-12) after a kill by Justin Kuskoff. Bunting recorded his second service ace of the set and senior Mike Morice recorded a kill to help put the Ramblers back up by four (17-13). The Lancers would get no closer than three points the rest of the way, as two kills from senior Matt Adler put the visitors away in the first frame.

The Ramblers took another early lead in the second, tallying three-straight kills to open the set. After a three-point Lancer run to tie it up, the teams exchanged blows until the visitors took their first lead of the match at 8-7. With the score tied at 12, Loyola took the lead for good on a Windsor service error. The Lancers would keep it within four (22-18) until a kill and two aces from Berzins spurred an

8-3 Rambler run to close the set.

The third set presented a back-and-forth battle between the teams, as the largest lead for either team was three points. Loyola took the first lead for the third set in a row, but again gave up the lead several points later (6-5). Windsor held onto the lead until Bunting's third ace of the match helped Loyola take a three-point edge (13-10). The teams went point for point after that, with Bunting notching a kill with the score tied at 25 to give the Ramblers the lead for good.

The Ramblers outhit the Lancers .419 to .235 in the win. Sophomore Tommy Becker recorded nine digs to lead Loyola's defensive effort. Kyle Williamson led Windsor with 11 kills, while Andrew Foster chipped in 13 digs.

Loyola hosts Carthage next Wednesday (Jan. 13) at 7 p.m. in the team's first NCAA match of the season.