Last year, Loyola’s boys volleyball team went 24-10, won the Catholic League with a perfect record, but lost in the regional final.
Tuesday, the Ramblers started off on the right foot again, destroying St. Francis de Sales 15-1, 15-2 in a conference opener that lasted barely 20 minutes.
Paul Valaitis notched 21 assists to lead Loyola, while Mark Lim added four kills and Pat Wright had six service points with three aces.
“We’ve got a lot of experience and we’re counting on those guys (four returning starters),” coach Bob Erlenbaugh said. “But we’ve also got some new guys who will make an impact as well.”
Homewood-Flossmoor d. Sandburg-Ryan Schmidt (eight service points, 10 kills, five blocks) led a third-game rally which gave H-F a 15-3, 12-15, 16-14 season-opening victory.
Marist d. Evanston-Marist (2-0) won 15-7, 15-7. Ken Murczek (10 kills, seven service points, two blocks) and Chris Rentz (22 assists, 10 service points) led the way.
Illiana Christian d. Providence-St. Mel-Ryan Boersma had six blocks and three kills and Matt Clark added three kills and five assists as Illiana Christian prevailed 15-9, 15-11 in a non-conference opener.
