Oct. 18, 2011

Final Stats

Contact: Renee Adam

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CHICAGO, Ill. - Behind a career-high 14 kills from junior Marie Frease, the Cleveland State volleyball team was able to get back on the winning track Tuesday evening with a 3-0 sweep over Loyola. The Vikings are now 15-6 overall and 8-2 in the Horizon League, while Loyola falls to 4-14 overall and 1-8 in league play.

Set scores against the Ramblers were 25-23, 25-21, 25-17.

"I thought we did a good job of getting ourselves prepared to play tonight," head coach Chuck Voss said. "It's always a tough environment to play in at Loyola, and I definitely thought we got better as the match went on. It was great for us to get back on the winning track before we head into the final weeks of the regular season."

After struggling to distance themselves during the opening half of the first set, the Vikings were finally able to gain a four-point lead at 19-15 after kills from Jackie Dabbelt, Megan Barhorst and Frease. CSU held off a pesky Rambler squad throughout the rest of the frame and earned a 25-23 win on a Loyola error.

During the second set the Vikings had to battle back from a three-point deficit to tie the frame at 13-13 with three straight points off of a Frease kill, Kara Koch service ace and an Ally Beck block. CSU and Loyola tied the frame six times throughout the second half of the set, with Cleveland State finally earning a 25-21 victory on four consecutive points including a pair of Frease kills.

Despite getting off to a rough start during the beginning of the third frame, CSU cruised to a 25-17 win. The Vikings gained a seven point advantage (16-9) on three straight points, including a Barhorst kill and service ace and were able to control the set from that point on.

"I thought both Marie and Megan did a great job for us tonight on offense, they really kept us rolling throughout the match," Voss said. "Along with that, Jordan did a great job of getting them into a position where they could be successful and put away some kills."

Along with Frease, Barhorst also tallied double digit kills against the Ramblers, posting 11 to lead the Viking offense. Barhorst also tallied a career-high .786 hitting percentage after posting her 11 kills on 14 attempts with no errors. CSU had a balanced defensive effort Tuesday evening, with Amy Grabiec recording nine digs, Koch posting eight and Brittany Holland and Jordan Goad each adding six.

The Vikings will return to action this Friday (Oct. 21) when CSU hosts Youngstown State in a 7:00 p.m. match.