Southern fell to the Loyola University Ramblers (15-13, MVC 7-9)  in the first of two conference matchups this weekend.

The Dawgs were swept in three sets that were scored 25-18, 25-20, and 25-19.

The all-time series among the two teams tied 7-7 prior to the 2018 season.

Loyola took the lead in the series this October by sweeping the Salukis in three sets and recently added another win tonight putting them up 9-7.

This evening’s game was the Ramblers’ sixth straight win against SIU.

In the first set of the night, both teams were off to a strong start with the score tying four times total.

Loyola then rallied to take the lead against the Dawgs going on an 8-2 scoring run that featured six kills.

The Salukis were able to put a small dent in the growing deficit against the Ramblers with one kill each for senior outside hitter Malvis Ortiz, junior setter Alayna Martin and junior middle hitter Lindsey Paulsen.

Paulsen finished the night leading the team in kills with nine and blocks with five.

A service ace from sophomore defensive specialist Alison Thomas also added to Southern’s effort.

The Dawgs fight for the lead seemed to be in vain as Loyola went on another 8-3 scoring run to bring the score to 23-17.

SIU was unable to hold off the Rambler charge only being able to score one more point and losing the set 25-18.

In set two the Salukis came out strong immediately putting a point on the board with a kill from senior middle hitter Patience Brown.

Brown went on to finish with four kills and two blocks.

Southern continued to apply pressure to the Loyola defense going on a 6-2 run that featured two kills from Paulsen, and a service ace each for sophomore setter/hitter Rachel Maguire and sophomore libero Keera Clarke.

The Dawgs remained in the lead until the Ramblers tallied three straight kills on the board to tie the set 9-9.

The score then continued to remain close and tie six more times as the set progressed.

During this time in the set, there was three consecutive kills for Ortiz who finished the night with six total.

The Salukis seemed to hit a road-block towards the end of the set as Loyola went on a 5-1 run to take the second set 25-20.

The Ramblers seemed to bring their momentum into the third set as they hit a 6-2 scoring run in the first few minutes.

As Loyola seemed to be slipping out of reach, the Dawgs tallied a 7-0 scoring run on the board to take the lead.

The run was sparked by two consecutive kills by Maguire and kept afloat by strong net defense from Paulsen, who put up three blocks during this time.

The opposing Ramblers then rallied to go on a 9-2 run on Southern regaining the lead in the final set and bringing the score to 19-16.

Loyola continued to tally points on the board going on another 5-1 run to defeat the Salukis 25-19 in the set.

Southern will take the Davies floor again tomorrow for their final game of the year and Senior Night against Valpo. First Serve is set for 7 p.m.

Sports reporter Tamar Mosby can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @mosbytamar.

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