BOX SCORE CHICAGO – No. 1 Loyola-Chicago defeated the Saint Francis men's volleyball team in straight sets on Saturday night, 25-12, 25-20, 25-22. Mike Marshman (Glenmont, N.Y./Bethlehem Central) hit .556 with six kills.
 
Marhsman's kill in the first set made it 10-6 Loyola, but it went on a 5-0 run to make the score 15-6 to put game one out of reach. In game two, the game stayed even with the Flash pulling to within 14-12 on an error by Loyola. The Flash pulled it to within one point at 20-19 on Marshman and Logan Patterson (Derry, Pa./Derry Area)'s block. But SFU was outscored 5-1 to finish off game two, also in favor of LUC.
 
The top-ranked team in the country looked for a sweep, but the Flash hung tough in game three. Down 16-11, SFU rallied to score five of the next six points to pull to within 17-16. Adam Barba (Meadville, Pa./Meadville) had two kills, Mark Kochan (Towaco, N.J./Seton Hall Prep) had one and Marshman registered an ace in the run. A kill by Kyle Beatty (Saegertown, Pa./Saegertown) put the Flash down one at 21-20, and Beatty's ace kept the deficit at one, 23-22. But Dainis Berzins for Loyola scored two straight kills to finish the game and the match.
 
Saint Francis returns home next weekend to face George Mason on Friday and Princeton on Saturday in EIVA action.