Ramblermania.net

With All Conference 6'6" outside hitter Thomas Jaeschke on the bench with an injury, #1 Loyola struggled against #12 Ball State tonight at the Gentile Cener. Loyola lost the first two sets 25-23, then came back and won the next three, 25-16, 25-22, and 16-14 to establish an 18-match winning streak and break Ball State's 10-match winning string.

Whoa.... it was dicey for the Ramblers without Jaeschke.... Let's hope the Ramblers can regroup and win on Saturday at #14 IPFW...

That was a messy match. Smalzer was off most of the night. A few more service errors than usual and a lot into the net. Ball State went to block city with him. He was visably frustrated halfway into the match. Hutz looked off also with a lot of low sets to both pins. Berzins played well enough for Jaescke and had a few big time kills off the block late in the match. Caldwell was the big man and without him the winning streak would be over. Ball State passed better in the first two sets enabling them to close out a 2-0 lead. It wasn't enough though. Nice comeback as I was on the edge of my seat all match.