Loyola Wins Horizon League Volleyball Title in Dramatic Fashion

Nov. 21, 2004

Box Score




YOUNGSTOWN-Loyola claimed its first Horizon League Volleyball Championship title since 2000 with a come-from-behind victory (25-30, 25-30, 41-39, 30-20, 15-12) over Cleveland State Sunday in Youngstown, Ohio.


Trailing two games to none, the Ramblers (22-8) fought off an incredible eight match points in an epic game three and then pulled away late in game five. Loyola's Nicole Amberg was named the tournament's most valuable player with 30 kills in the championship match.


Cleveland State (15-13), which was making its first championship match appearance, had its share of chances. In addition to the eight match points, the Vikings led 8-5 early in game five but couldn't put Loyola away. With the score tied at 12, the Ramblers scored the final three points on a kill by Kathryn Langheld and back-to-back attack errors by Julie Stover.


The Vikings hit an astonishing .452 in claiming the first two games (43-5-84) and appeared poised for the upset as they served for the match eight times. Each time, however, Loyola responded, finally winning the game on consecutive kills by Langheld and Keily Zins.


Hilary Stromath added 17 kills for Loyola, while Langheld and Courtney Ashley had 14 apiece. Setter Lauren Holbrook finished with 74 assists.


Jamie Bouyer topped Cleveland State with 26 kills, and Nickole Kennedy had 17. Kelly Crain added 63 assists, 13 kills and eight digs.


Amberg was joined on the All-Tournament Team by Stromath, Holbrook, Bouyer, Crain and Cleveland State's Danielle Seifker, who had 12 blocks in the final.


With the win, Loyola earns the League's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.