Score: VCU 3, Loyola 0 (25-22, 25-22, 25-19)
Location: Chicago, Ill. (Gentile Arena)
Records: VCU 8-8 (6-2 A-10), Loyola Chicago 9-10 (4-4)
 
The short story: Junior outside hitter Julia Rienks rang up an unforgettable performance to fuel a VCU sweep of Loyola Chicago Friday night at Gentile Arena.
 
OPENING VOLLEY

• Rienks was, for all intents and purposes, unstoppable. The Daytona State transfer blasted 17 kills on 23 attempts and did not commit and error. She hit .739 on the night. The reigning Atlantic 10 Conference Player of the Week, Rienks added three blocks in one of the most dominant offensive performances by a VCU player in recent memory
• Junior outside hitter Alicja Jaryszek added 12 kills and a pair of blocks for the Black and Gold, while classmate Kalina Pylinska hit .429 with seven kills on 14 swings
• Setters Taylor Aguano and Abby Edwards combined for 41 assists to direct a potent VCU offense
• Marta Cvitkovic led the Ramblers with nine kills 

THE DIFFERENCE

• Behind Rienks, the Rams could do no wrong offensively. VCU hit a season-high .343 in the match and committed just nine attacking errors. Loyola hit .151 in the contest
• Loyola Chicago beat the Rams to the 20-point mark in both the first and second sets, only to watch VCU stage late rallies to wrestle away wins. The Ramblers led 21-19 in the first, but Rienks ignited a 6-1 run with a kill as the Rams claimed a 25-22 victory. In the second, Loyola held a 22-19 advantage, only to watch Rienks answer with back-to-back kills. Those plays sparked a 6-0 VCU burst on the way to victory
• Rienks racked up seven kills in the second set alone, and added six more in the clinching third set

NEXT UP
VCU and Loyola Chicago will reconvene on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 2 p.m. (EST) at Gentile Arena to close out the weekend.