Score: Loyola Chicago 3, VCU 0 (25-20, 25-17, 25-20)
Location: Chicago, Ill. (Gentile Arena)
Records: VCU 12-14 (7-7 Atlantic 10) Loyola 20-7 (14-0)
 
The short story: Sophomore outside hitter Parker Hartzell hit .429 with seven kills to help spark VCU, but the Rams dropped a three-set decision to first-place Loyola Chicago Saturday night at Gentile Arena.
 
OPENING VOLLEY

• Hartzell added a pair of blocks on the night for the Black and Gold
• Senior outside hitter Qairo Bentley also provided seven kills for VCU
• On the back row, sophomore libero Crew Hoffmeier supplied 17 digs for the Rams, while sophomore setter Corinna Jones chipped in with 15 assists, seven digs and three kills
• Kelsey Watson paced the Ramblers with 12 kills, while hitting .688

THE DIFFERENCE

• Loyola outhit VCU .282 to .127. The Ramblers also owned a 56-48 advantage in digs and a 5-3 margin in blocks
• Loyola limited the Rams to 31 kills on the night
• VCU looked to stage a comeback in the third, racing to an 18-17 lead, but the Ramblers Karlie McNabb spurred a 7-2 burst by Loyola down the stretch with back-to-back kills 

NEXT UP
VCU will continue its four-match road swing with a pair of matches at Duquesne Nov. 4-5 in Pittsburgh, Pa. Both matches will start at 5 p.m.