CHICAGO — The No. 7 team, Loyola Chicago, faced a setback in their home opener, losing 3-0 to No. 6 Pepperdine at Gentile Arena on January 23. The match drew 1,180 fans who witnessed a fierce competition. Although Loyola fought hard, especially in the thrilling third set, Pepperdine’s strong net play and effective serves ultimately made the difference.
Aleksandar Sosa led Loyola with 14 kills, while Daniel Fabikovic added 12 kills and eight digs. Brad Bell stood out defensively with a match-high six blocks.
Coach Shane Davis praised Pepperdine’s performance, noting, “They’re a great team and came in ready to go. I appreciate the energy from our bench; Josh Schellinger was a bright spot in set three, serving well and contributing significantly. We need to be better as a unit and learn from our mistakes.” He commended newcomer Alex Smits Van Oyen for stepping up, saying, “He’s been training hard for this role and delivered against strong opponents. The crowd helped us push through in that third set, but we couldn’t make the most of our chances.”
How It Happened
SET 1: Loyola struggled early, losing the first set 25-15. They fell behind by ten points, unable to recover as Pepperdine controlled the game. Sosa showed promise, but a mid-set surge from Pepperdine sealed the deal.
SET 2: This set was tightly contested, with both teams trading points. Pepperdine took the lead at 9-8 and benefited from three service aces to win 25-20.
SET 3: Loyola rallied, with their best performance featuring 20 kills and a .333 hitting percentage. This set was dramatic, filled with 16 ties and five lead changes. It was neck-and-neck until a Loyola error sealed their fate at 30-28.
Stats to Note:
- Bell matched his season-best with six blocks, while Fabikovic tied his record for digs at eight.
- Schellinger recorded his first minutes this season, contributing five kills and the team’s only ace.
- Setter Smits Van Oyen provided 36 assists and achieved a career-high of four blocks.
Loyola looks to bounce back as they host Quincy on January 24 at 6 p.m.
Recent Trends: The Ramblers are part of an evolving landscape in collegiate volleyball, where matches are increasingly competitive. A recent survey from the NCAA revealed that college volleyball has seen a 10% increase in attendance over the last five years, indicating growing fan engagement. This reflects a broader trend where student-athletes increasingly draw local communities and alumni back to the stands, offering a vibrant environment for home matches.
Experts in sports management suggest that schools should enhance fan experiences to maintain this momentum. Fostering community connections can lead to higher attendance and support for school teams. Social media buzz around teams is also critical. Platforms like Twitter and Instagram help fans stay engaged and informed about their teams’ journeys, builds excitement, and attracts new supporters.
