Ball State University Athletics
Thursday, March 5
Chicago, IL
8 pm
Ball State University
15-3,6-2MIVA
0
at
3
Loyola
11-4,5-1MIVA
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ball St. | 21 | 21 | 24 | 0 |
| Loyola Chicago | 25 | 25 | 26 | 3 |
Photo by: Heather Parker
MVB Falls to the Ramblers
March 05, 2026 | Men's Volleyball
CHICAGO – The ninth-ranked Ball State men's volleyball program fought valiantly inside Gentile Arena Thursday evening but ultimately fell to No. 8 Loyola Chicago in straight sets (21-25, 21-25, 24-16).
Even with the outcome, the Cardinals (15-3, 6-2 MIVA) out hit the Ramblers (11-4, 5-1 MIVA) in all three sets, averaging a .475 clip as a team compared to Loyola's .456. Both units faced struggles with service aces throughout the closely contested match, which saw 26 total ties, as Ball State tallied 18 and Loyola recorded 17.
Senior outside Patrick Rogers led Ball State's offense with 10 kills while hitting .500. Wil Basilio added nine kills on a .600 clip, his second-best average this season, while Ryan Louis contributed six kills.
Junior Setting Lucas Machado was instrumental in guiding the Cardinals to its third-most efficient outing of the year, totaling 29 assists. Machado also recorded a team-best two service aces.
Although he only entered during the closing set of the evening, freshman Daniel Günther was a key component to Ball State's defense, leading the team with four blocks. Rogers and Louis added three blocks each, while Braydon Savitski-Lynde contributed a pair. Machado and Basilio also recorded one block each.
For the sixth occasion this season, libero Victor Scherer paced Ball State in digs, making up five of the Cardinals' 11 total.
After seeing the first two sets go in favor of the host, Ball State maintained the advantage nearly all the way through the third game, leading by as many as four. At 21-17, the Ramblers rallied a 9-3 run, closed by three straight kills from Loyola's Daniel Fabikovic to take the win.
Ball State looks to avenge its conference blemish on Saturday, March 7 as it visits No. 14 Lewis. First serve is slated to take place at 6 p.m. ET.
Even with the outcome, the Cardinals (15-3, 6-2 MIVA) out hit the Ramblers (11-4, 5-1 MIVA) in all three sets, averaging a .475 clip as a team compared to Loyola's .456. Both units faced struggles with service aces throughout the closely contested match, which saw 26 total ties, as Ball State tallied 18 and Loyola recorded 17.
Senior outside Patrick Rogers led Ball State's offense with 10 kills while hitting .500. Wil Basilio added nine kills on a .600 clip, his second-best average this season, while Ryan Louis contributed six kills.
Junior Setting Lucas Machado was instrumental in guiding the Cardinals to its third-most efficient outing of the year, totaling 29 assists. Machado also recorded a team-best two service aces.
Although he only entered during the closing set of the evening, freshman Daniel Günther was a key component to Ball State's defense, leading the team with four blocks. Rogers and Louis added three blocks each, while Braydon Savitski-Lynde contributed a pair. Machado and Basilio also recorded one block each.
For the sixth occasion this season, libero Victor Scherer paced Ball State in digs, making up five of the Cardinals' 11 total.
After seeing the first two sets go in favor of the host, Ball State maintained the advantage nearly all the way through the third game, leading by as many as four. At 21-17, the Ramblers rallied a 9-3 run, closed by three straight kills from Loyola's Daniel Fabikovic to take the win.
Ball State looks to avenge its conference blemish on Saturday, March 7 as it visits No. 14 Lewis. First serve is slated to take place at 6 p.m. ET.
Team Stats
BSU
Loyola
Kills
34
43
Errors
5
12
Attempts
61
68
Hitting %
.475
.456
Points
44.0
52.5
Assists
34
41
Aces
3
7
Blocks
7
2.5
Game Leaders
Kills
10
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
9
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
4
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Men's VolleyballOPP
/ Men's Volleyball
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/ Men's VolleyballOH
/ Men's VolleyballMB/OPP
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