Loyola Sweeps UW-Green Bay To Reach Volleyball Tournament Semifinals

Nov. 19, 2004

Box Score

Loyola 3, UW-Green Bay 0
(30-22, 30-25, 30-18)


YOUNGSTOWN-Nichol Amberg had match highs of 14 kills and 13 digs to power No. 3 seed Loyola to a 30-22, 30-25, 30-18 victory over No. 6 seed UW-Green Bay in the quarterfinals of the 2004 Horizon League Volleyball Championship Friday at Beeghly Center.


Already up two games to none, the Ramblers (20-8) used a 14-4 run in game three to open an 18-9 lead and never let it slip below six points the rest of the way. Amberg had five kills in the final game.


In game one, Loyola never trailed, building an 11-3 advantage behind four kills apiece by Amberg, Katie Henry and Hilary Stromath. The Phoenix (10-19) rebounded in game two and led 14-11 before Amberg keyed a six-point run by the Ramblers with three kills. Loyola stretched its lead to as many as seven points and won by five.


Stromath finished with 11 kills, while Lauren Holbrook had 35 assists and 11 digs for Loyola.


Jackie Rosen led UW-Green Bay with 10 kills and 10 digs, and Leslie Kuhn nearly had a triple-double with 27 assists, 10 digs and seven kills.


"Last year we got to sit around until the semifinals, but this year I think it was good for us to play in the quarters," said Loyola head coach Tim O'Brien. "Our seniors played awesome and we were able to gain some confidence for the rest of the tournament."


With the win, Loyola advances to face No. 2 seed Butler Saturday in the semfinals at 4:30 p.m. EST.