HAMBURG, N.Y. (Duhawks.com) - For the third time in four days, the Loras men's volleyball team completed a sweep of its opponent, taking Monday's match against Hilbert in straight sets. The Duhawks were led by sophomores Dylan Ross and Jimmy Combs, who combined for 15 kills and 15 total blocks in the victory. Combs' ten individual blocks (three solo, seven assisted) broke his own program record of nine, which he recorded earlier this season against Benedictine. Ross recorded a team-high eleven kills in the three sets at a blistering .474 clip.

POST GAME NOTES

• After taking in the sights of Niagara Falls on their day off, Loras took on the Hilbert Hawks out of the NEAC on Monday night in Hamburg, N.Y.
• The Duhawks got off to a fast start taking a 5-2 lead after a kill from sophomore Dylan Ross.
• However, a few Loras errors quickly evened up the score at 8-8.
• After both sides traded points, the Duhawks took control of the set and opened up a 15-12 lead thanks to another Ross kill.
• Followintg this, the Hawks were forced to call their first timeout after an attacking error.
• After the break in the action, Loras continued to roll and opened up a 19-13 advantage after a kill from sophomore Kyle Zacok.
• With this cushion established, the Duhawks cruised to a set one victory by a final score of 25-17.
• Zacok and Ross combined for five kills from the right side in the first set.
• Loras got out to an early lead again in the second frame, opening up a 5-2 margin after kills from freshman Greg Kinney and Ross.
• An attacking error from the Hawks increased the Duhawk lead to 9-5 midway through the second frame.
• Hilbert climbed back into the set, however, using a four point run to tie the game at 9-all.
• The Hawks eventually opened up a three-point lead of their own later, forcing a timeout from head coach Jeremy Thornburg with Loras trailing 18-15.
• It took time before the timeout adjustments kicked in as Hilbert maintained its lead up until 23-20. With their backs nearly to the wall, Loras responded in a big way, scoring six of the final seven points of the match, resulting in the 26-24 victory.
• Set three was back-and-forth early on with the score deadlocked at 7-all as both sides struggled to gain an upper hand.
• The Hawks were the first team to take a sizeable lead, going up 13-8  thanks to 6-1 run.
• The Duhawks fought back once again to even the score at 14-all after a 6-1 run of their own.
• Sparked by the play of freshman Ryan Galvan, whom was subsituted during set three, Loras gained the advantage, going up 21-17 after back-to-back kills from the Orland Park, Ill. native.
• Although Hilbert brought the set back to within one at 21-20 mark, the Duhawks scored the last four points, winning the set 25-20 and the match in straight sets, 3-0.
• Galvan totaled five kills in set three alone on his way to a .571 attack percentage. 
• Sophomore Jimmy Combs totaled ten blocks tonight, setting a program match record in the process.
• Offensively, Loras was paced by Ross, who totaled a team-high 11 kills and .474 attack percentage on the night.
• Sophomore Shayne Marquez paced the Duhawk attack with 19 assists in three sets. 
• Loras improves to 10-12 overall and is now 3-0 on their east coast trip while the Hawks fall to 9-14.

FRIEDMAN GROUP PLAYER OF THE GAME
Dylan Ross | Ross showed a variety of shots in the match on his way to 11 kills and a .474 attack percentage. With tonight's performane, Ross now a total of 166 kills in 2016, which is nine shy of TJ Esporas' season record from 2015.

UP NEXT
Loras will pack its bags and leave the Buffalo, N.Y. area in the morning as they will take on PSU-Behrend tomorrow afternoon at 3:30.