Score: Loyola Chicago 3, VCU 0 (25-20, 25-18, 25-13)
Location: Chicago, Ill. (Gentile Arena)
Records: VCU 12-13 (7-6 Atlantic 10), Loyola Chicago 19-7 (13-0)
 
The short story: Senior outside hitter Qairo Bentley recorded eight kills in the match and helped lead an early VCU charge, but the Rams dropped a three-set road decision Friday at Loyola Chicago.
 
OPENING VOLLEY

• Bentley, the two-time reigning Atlantic 10 Conference Player of the Week, added seven digs, a block and an ace for the Black and Gold, which were meeting Loyola for the first time as conference mates
• Junior middle blocker Jasmine Knight provided six kills and a pair of blocks for VCU, while fellow middle Sarah Stratton turned in a team-high four blocks
• Emily Banitt led all players with 12 kills, while hitting .478 for the Ramblers

THE DIFFERENCE

• Loyola hit .337 in the match, including .424 and .429 in the second and third sets, respectively
• The Ramblers also totaled 48 digs to VCU's 35 and served up six aces
• VCU hit .233 in a competitive first frame that featured five ties and four lead changes, but the Rams struggled to get going offensively the rest of the evening. The Black and Gold hit .165 overall in the match
• VCU led 20-17 in the first set, only to watch as Karlie McNabb ripped off four kills to spearhead an 8-0 Loyola run to close out the set. The Rams were unable to recover

NEXT UP
VCU and Loyola Chicago will return to the court on Saturday, Oct. 29 at 5 p.m. at Gentile Arena in Chicago, Ill. Fans can watch that match on ESPN+.