The SIU volleyball team (11-6, 2-2) lost in four sets (19-25, 25-22, 25-16, 26-24) to conference opponent Loyola (14-3, 3-1) on Saturday night.

The Salukis’ leading hitter this season, sophomore outside hitter Andrea Estrada, continued her success with 15 kills on 30 attempts with one attack error. She also dug nine of the Ramblers’ attempted kills.

“Andrea was killing it tonight,” coach Justin Ingram said. “As the match progressed we relied on some more than others, and our defense suffered.”

The Ramblers were able to score seven service aces on the Saluki back row, who tallied seven return errors.

“We came out with some good energy in the first set,” said junior setter Hannah Kaminsky, who had a team-high 27 assists. “I don’t think we put the foot on the gas. We needed to come out stronger.”

The SIU offense started the match hitting for a .500 attack efficiency with 19 kills. In the following three sets, Saluki efficiency decreased with each set (.267, .192, .139).

Sophomore outside hitter Abby Barrow converted all four attack attempts in the first set. She finished the match with 13 kills on 30 attempts, with seven attack errors. 

“We didn’t use the energy from the first set — it didn’t transfer over to the second,” Barrow said. “We didn’t come out defending our home court, and that’s disappointing.”

This is the Salukis first weekend at home since the SIU invitational Sept. 5. SIU plays Missouri State at 7 p.m. Monday at Davies Gym.

Evan Jones can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @EvanJones_DE