Loyola Chicago Pulls Out Five-Set Win over CSUN

NORTHRIDGE, CA - Sophomore Dimitar Kalchev pounded a career-high 26 kills but it wasn't enough as No. 11 CSUN's upset bid came up just short as No. 10 Loyola-Chicago pulled out a five-set non-conference victory Friday at the Walter Pyramid in Long Beach.

The Matadors (12-9) hit under .200 as a team for just the second time this season but Kalchev was a bright spot hitting .348 on 46 attacks. He narrowly missed his first double-double of the season with nine digs to go with three aces, giving him 55 for the season. The CSUN record for aces in a single season is 57 by Eric Vance in 2009.

Redshirt freshman Parker Maki also notched a season-high with 12 kills (.160) to go with five digs and two blocks. Fellow freshman Schylar Lillethorup came off the bench to add eight kills (.190) while Eric Chance chipped in six kills (.556) and two blocks.

Despite hitting .197 (59-34-127), the Matadors out-hit the Ramblers (.187) and had a 59-49 advantage in kills. CSUN also had a decisive edge in team digs (57-31) as senior libero CJ Suarez had a career-high 21. The 57 digs by the Matadors is the most in a match this season. CSUN setter Sam Porter also came within inches of a double-double with 50 assists and nine digs.

Loyola did post a sizable advantage in blocks as the Ramblers doubled up the Matadors 16-8.

CSUN takes on George Mason to close the Asics Long Beach Invitational Saturday at 5 p.m.

#GoMatadors

Loyola Chicago Pulls Out Five-Set Win over CSUN

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Team Stats

Dimitar Kalchev

Parker Maki

Schylar Lillethorup

Eric Chance

Players Mentioned

Eric Chance

Dimitar Kalchev

Parker Maki

Sam Porter

CJ Suarez