Outside attacker Daniel Fabikovic took over in the biggest moments of a critical conference match.
Fabikovic had a kill to force a third-game overtime and then followed it up with match-ending back-to-back kills in the overtime as No. 8/9 Loyola swept No. 9/8 Ball State 25-21, 25-21, 26-24 on Thursday in Chicago.
The junior’s three consecutive kills were part of a 6-1 run to close out the match. The Ramblers overcame a 23-20 deficit and fought off two game-points en route to securing their fifth consecutive MIVA win and knocking the Cardinals out of first place in the conference.
Fabikovic finished with a match-high 13 kills on a .409 attack percentage, including having six kills in the final game.
Outside attacker Tyler Howard added 10 kills on a team-best .571 attack percentage. Howard also had a kill to jumpstart the Ramblers’ run late in the third-game.
Ball State despite the loss out-hit Loyola .475 to .456 and finished with five attack errors – seven fewer errors than Loyola.
The Cardinals in their second-game loss did not commit an error and had a .600 attack percentage. Loyola, though, overcame the Ball State offense – and committing nine service errors – to win the game with a match-best .682 attack percentage.
Five Ball State starters had one or zero errors against Loyola.
Outside attacker Patrick Rogers ended with a team-high 10 kills on a .500 attack percentage, while pin-hitter Wil Basilio had nine kills and hit .600.
Loyola with this victory is now tied with No. 10/10 Lindenwood for first place in the MIVA and a half-match ahead of Ball State. This also was the Ramblers’ second victory against a top-10 nationally ranked team this season.