Loyola defeats Wright State, claims second consecutive Horizon League Championship title

Nov. 20, 2005

CHICAGO- Loyola University Chicago won its second straight Horizon League Volleyball tournament title with a 3-2(28-30,30-23,30-21,15-30,15-12) win over Wright State University on Sunday, Nov. 20, at the Flames Center in Chicago, Ill.

Tournament MVP Sarah Elmer recorded a triple-double for the Ramblers with 11 kills, 59 assists and 12 digs. Hilary Stromath recorded 20 kills on .444 hitting to lead the Loyola offense, while Ann Deelo notched 31 digs on the match for the defense.

Sarah Poling tallied a team-high 19 kills and 15 digs for the Raiders, who made the school's first ever appearance in the title game. Lisa Griffith added six kills and a match-high six blocks for Wright State.

In addition to Elmer, Stromath and Audrey Davis of Loyola, as well as Poling, Lizzy Gunn and Lindsey Frank of Wright State, were named to the All-Horizon League Tournament Team.

Wright State came out strong in game one, holding the Ramblers at bay until late in the game, when Loyola grabbed its first lead at 27-26 on a block by Shelby Henriksen and Audrey Davis. The Ramblers' lead was short-lived, however, as a kill by Sarah Poling and a long-attempt by Shelby Henriksen gave the Raiders a 30-28 win.

Loyola grabbed a 12-6 lead to begin game two, holding off the Raiders for a 30-23 win. The Ramblers then outhit WSU, .291 to .163, for a victory in game three. The Raiders battled back, however, using a string of Sarah Poling serves to hand LU a lopsided 30-15 defeat in game four.

Both teams kept it close in game five, trading points most of the way until an Audrey Davis kill gave the Ramblers a 15-12 win and a trip to the NCAA Tournament. The 3-2 win marked the fourth consecutive season in which the title match had gone to five games.

With the loss, Wright State finishes the season at 12-19.

With the win, Loyola (12-17) earns the League's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, which begins Dec. 1 at campus sites. The 2005 NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Championship will take place at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, on Dec. 15 and 17.

All-Horizon League Tournament Team

Sarah Elmer, Loyola- Tournament MVP
Hilary Stromath, Loyola
Audrey Davis, Loyola
Sarah Poling, Wright State
Lizzy Gunn, Wright State
Lindsey Frank, Wright State