Contact: Emily Adlfinger, Director of Athletic Communications, 563-588-7970

DECATUR, Ill. (Feb. 24, 2020) – An efficient offense helped the Loras College men's volleyball team (8-4, 2-1 CCIW) improve to 2-1 in College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) play against Millikin University (1-13, 0-4 CCIW) on Monday as the Duhawks limited the Big Blue's offense and claim the 3-0 victory.

The Big Blue took the lead in the opening set, 7-4, but back-to-back kills and an ace by Jake Filotto as well as two kills from Andres Martinez led to a five-point run to lead, 9-7. Millikin pulled ahead again, 13-12, but it was Ian Walsh who came up with the kill to spark a service ace by Patrick Mahoney and another kill from Martinez to lead by two. A block for the Big Blue tied the score 15-15 but a service error gave the ball back to Loras and the Duhawks capitalized with Patrick Hollander and Martinez coming up for the block. The Duhawks held onto the lead with kills from Mahoney, Walsh and Dorian Fiorenza to win the first set, 25-21.

Millikin continued to challenge the Duhawks early in the second set, leading 8-6, but a kill from Fiorenza helped get the offense going and four kills by Martinez helped Loras take a commanding 21-12 lead.  Hayden Castle got into the action late in the set and tallied two kills to help Loras win the second set 25-17.

Loras took control early in the third set, leading 6-2 thanks to kills from Castle, Walsh, and Martinez, but the Big Blue came fighting back, tying the score 8-8. Unfortunately for Millikin, three attacking errors opened the door for Loras to pull ahead 16-10 and hold on through the remainder of the set as kills from Castle and Max Ellenbecker brought Loras to match point, 24-17 and a service ace by Joe Horn sealed the win for the Duhawks, 25-17.

Martinez tallied 13 kills and a .800 hitting percentage as well as three blocks while Hollander led the team with nine digs and 35 assists. Mahoney had two service aces on the night and the Duhawks as a team had a .311 hitting percentage through three sets, hitting above .250 in each set.

Loras' next match is Friday, Feb. 28 when they continue CCIW play at North Park University in Chicago, Ill. First serve is set for 7 P.M.