Oct. 3, 2003
CLEVELAND - The Cleveland State volleyball team (10-8, 0-3 Horizon League) came up just short in its bid to end a 10-match losing streak against Loyola (7-10, 2-1 HL) as the Ramblers pulled out a 30-27, 31-33, 30-28, 28-30, 15-8 victory Friday night in Woodling Gymnasium. CSU junior setter Kelly Crain (Perrysburg, Ohio/Perrysburg) finished with 10 kills, 63 assists and 13 digs for her first career triple-double.
After splitting the first two frames, CSU held a 24-19 lead in what would prove to be the pivotal game of the match. The Ramblers responded down the stretch by posting nine kills with only one error to prevail 30-28. The Vikings recovered to force a fifth game, but Loyola jumped out to a 3-0 lead and never looked back.
"I thought we played well -- we were right there with them," said CSU head coach Chuck Voss. "We had the opportunity to win in four games, but their setter was the difference. Loyola is a very good team."
All six CSU starters finished with double-digit kills led by senior middle hitter Jamie Bouyer (Bedford Heights, Ohio/Chanel) who wound up with a match-high 23 kills, eight digs and nine blocks. Sophomore outside hitter Jenna Maddocks (Norwalk, Ohio/Norwalk) tallied a career-best 16 kills and 15 digs, while sophomore outside Emily Clark (Bolivar, Ohio/Tuscarawas Valley) added 10 kills and a career-high 20 digs.
Rambler junior setter Lauren Holbrook also recorded her first triple-double with 12 kills, 66 assists and 12 digs. Freshman outside hitter Courtney Ashley finished with 18 kills and 18 digs, while junior outside hitter Nichol Amberg added 18 kills and 23 digs.
"Lauren [Holbrook] really took control of the match in the third game," pointed out Loyola head coach Liz Tortorello-Nelson. "Give CSU credit though, they are much better than they were last year."
Cleveland State is in action again tomorrow (Oct. 4) when the Vikings host Illinois-Chicago at 2:00 p.m.
