Aggies sweep Loyola Chicago for fifth straight win

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - The Texas A&M volleyball team secured its best start to a season in 12 years, as it swept Loyola Chicago for its fifth-straight win on the final day of the Falcon Invitational (25-16, 25-21, 25-18).

A&M (5-0) and Loyola Chicago (2-4) battled back-and-forth to open the first set, as the squads were tied at eight. The Aggies broke the deadlock with a five-point run to lead, 13-8. Piling on the pressure, the Maroon & White extended their advantage late into the opening frame, forcing a Loyola Chicago timeout (21-14). A trio of service aces from Caroline Meuth and a kill from Bianna Muoneke clinched the first set for A&M, 25-16.

Similar to the opening frame, the squads were lockstep once again at eight. A quick three-point strike, with a pair of kills from Logan Lednicky and one from Morgan Perkins prompted the Ramblers first timeout of the set (11-8). The squads traded points, but A&M maintained its three-point gap, 18-15. A four-point streak from the Ramblers called for a reset, as head coach Jamie Morrison used a timeout (21-20). The regroup was exactly what the Maroon & White needed, as they closed the set on a 4-1 run (25-21) to double their advantage, 2-0.

The Aggies fired off a quick four-point streak to start the third frame forcing an early Loyola Chicago timeout. A&M extended its advantage through the midpoint of the set to lead by seven, 15-8. The teams went back-and-forth down the stretch, however, a kill from Ifenna Cos-Okpalla ensured the programs fifth-straight win (25-18), third sweep (3-0) and best start to a season in 12 years.

Three members of the A&M squad were named to the Falcon Invitational All-Tournament Team. Meuth headlined the trio, as she was awarded the tournament's Most Valuable Player Award, while Nisa Buzlutepe and Perkins received All-Tournament Team honors.