MVB Falls to the Ramblers

Thursday, March 5

Chicago, IL

8 pm

Ball State University

15-3,6-2MIVA

Loyola

11-4,5-1MIVA

Ball St.

Loyola Chicago

Photo by: Heather Parker

March 05, 2026 | Men's Volleyball

Box Score

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.