Juniata MVB swept by Loyola to open three-match midwestern swing

CHICAGO – Juniata College freshman Alex McColgin logged a team-high nine kills, but superior Loyola University hitting and serving led Loyola to a 3-0 win, Friday night at Alumni Gym. 

Set scores for Loyola were 25-14, 27-25, and 25-21. 

Senior outside hitter Chris Vrooman and junior middle Ben Wolff each tallied eight kills with four blocks in the loss. Sophomore middle John Prout logged six blocks. Setter John Almquist notched 26 while leading a Juniata offense that hit .260 for the match, and also tallied four blocks. 

Juniata (11-7) finished with 12.0 total team blocks, outworking a Loyola squad that finished with 6.0 team blocks. 

Loyola (11-3) hit .289 for the match, including a .458 hitting percentage in the first set. The Ramblers also amassed 11 service aces, including six by Joseph Smalzer – four of which came in the final set. Loyola was paced by Smalzer with 12 kills, while Eric Daliege tallied seven terminations. 

Juniata continues its road swing Saturday evening when it faces Lewis University in Romeoville, Ill. 

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