Score: VCU 3, Loyola Chicago 2 (25-21, 19-25, 15-25, 25-12, 19-17)
Location: Richmond, Va. (Stuart C. Siegel Center)
Records: VCU 10-9 (8-3 Atlantic 10), Loyola Chicago 11-12 (8-3)
 
The short story: Senior Julia Rienks rang up 25 kills, including the match-clinching point, as VCU rallied for a dramatic come-from-behind victory Saturday at the Siegel Center.
 
OPENING VOLLEY

• Rienks also provided five blocks and four digs in the contest for the Rams, who avenged a 3-0 loss to the Ramblers on Friday
• Senior Kalina Pylinska hit .379 with 13 kills, four blocks and three aces for the Black and Gold, while freshman Sarah Dibbs-Frantz dominated the middle to the tune of eight blocks and eight kills, while hitting .353
• Graduate setter Elif Ozsoy handed out 43 assists and also dug 15 balls for the Rams
• Kaitlyn Burke led four Loyola Chicago players in double figures with 15 kills

THE DIFFERENCE

• The fifth set featured 13 ties and four lead changes. The Rams trailed 14-11, but stormed back from the brink with a 3-0 burst that included a block by Dibbs-Frantz and freshman Lannah Price, as well as a kill by Rienks, to tie the frame at 14-14. VCU fought off two more match points and took an 18-17 lead on a Ramblers' service error. Rienks finished off a thrilling, 19-17 win on the next play when she hammered a set from graduate libero Haruka Sugimoto
• VCU dug its way out of a 2-1 deficit in the match when it erupted for a 25-12 triumph in the fourth. VCU hit .385 in that set behind Pylinska, who converted five of her seven swings for kills
• The Rams tied a season-high with 17 blocks on the afternoon
• VCU limited the Ramblers to a .086 combined hitting percentage in the final sets on the way to victory

NOTABLE
Rienks has spiked 20 or more kills in a match four times this season.
 
NEXT UP
VCU will kick off a five-match road swing on Tuesday, Oct. 28 when it heads to Davidson. That contest will get underway at 5 p.m.