Loyola downs Green Bay in the first round of the Horizon League Volleyball Championship

Nov. 15, 2007

MILWAUKEE, Wis. - Loyola University Chicago defeated the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay 3-1 (30-22, 24-30, 30-25, 30-28) in the first round of the 2007 Horizon League Volleyball Championship Thursday at the Klotsche Center. With the win, Loyola will move on to face No. 1 Milwaukee Friday at 7:30 p.m. CT. in the fourth match of the quarterfinals.

Loyola had four players reach double figures in kills led by freshman Mallory Curran as she recorded a team-best 17 kills with a hitting percentage of .406. Junior Sarah Singer paced LU defensively as she tallied a match-high 23 digs.

Green Bay sophomore Nikki Hintze, who was selected to the League's All-Newcomer team, notched a double-double with a match-high 19 kills and 21 digs to lead the way for the Phoenix.

Loyola claimed the first game 30-22. The Ramblers jumped out to an early 13-1, but the Phoenix fought back late in the first game to close LU's advantage to five at 25-20. Loyola would go on to finish out Green Bay as it claimed five of the last seven points. The Ramblers held the Phoenix to a -.070 hitting percentage.

Green Bay evened the match in the second game as it downed Loyola 30-24. The Phoenix came out to take an early 8-2 lead and did not trail for the remainder of the game. GB's Hintze collected seven of the squad's 15 kills. The Phoenix sophomore also added and 10 digs in the second frame.

In the third game, Loyola reclaimed the lead with a 30-25 triumph. The Ramblers out hit the Phoenix .342-.217, with Curran posting a team-best .500 hitting percentage.

Loyola closed out the match in game four as it defeated Green Bay 30-28 despite being outhit .172-.160 by the Phoenix. LU sophomore Dana VanDiggelen totaled five kills in the final game to lead the way for the Ramblers.

Quarterfinal action begins Friday at 11:30 a.m. CT as the Wright State University Raiders meet the University of Illinois at Chicago Flames.