Ramblers still on track for GCAC berth

Loyola's Colleen Quinlan (10) and teammate Lauren Kehoe attempt to block a shot by Regina Dominican's Jenny Morris during the Ramblers' victory last week.
(Buzz Orr/Staff Photographer)

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When she noted that a substitution snafu found Regina Dominican short a player on the other side of the net, it didn't take long for Hailey Merk to capitalize.

Merk smacked a kill to an open spot on the floor midway through Game 1 and Loyola Academy never trailed again in a GCAC matchup last week in the Rambler gym.

Merk ripped 11 kills -- with only one hitting error -- as the Ramblers avenged an early-season loss to the Panthers with a 25-18, 25-19 victory on Oct. 2.

Loyola, which also lost to Mother McAuley last week, improved to 8-13 on the year and with the win preserved its status for participation in the GCAC Red Division tourney later this month.

Regina, which is attempting to climb out of the White Division for postseason play, slipped to 10-9 and Panthers head coach Robert Hughes took full responsibility for the gaffe that briefly left his team with five players on the court -- instead of six -- and the score tied 9-9.

"We rotated one player in instead of two, and Loyola was able to take control of the momentum I gave them," said Hughes. "I might just bench myself for the next game. I took my girls out of the game when I did that. We still played well, but it shows how mental this game can be, where one little thing can throw you off.

"It was an unfortunate mistake. But Loyola has definitely improved from when we played them at the beginning of the season (at the Summer's End Tournament). They're moving well, they talk out there, and they're starting to look more like a team."

"That was a must win for us," said Loyola coach Jenny Morris. "They smacked us pretty hard back in September and it was a pride thing tonight. Our kids came through because of their pride.

"Hailey was aggressive from the get-go and they couldn't stop Colleen Quinlan on the right side (8 kills), either. Tonight our passing was good, and look what our offense can do when our passing is good."

A block and a kill by Regina senior middle hitter Jenny Morris and Katie Trela's ace serve kept the Panthers close until the substitution error by the visitors.

After that, Annie Lyman's two ace serves help the Ramblers pull away in Game 1.

Tied at 8-8 in Game 2, the hosts reeled off nine straight points with junior Laura Murphy at the service line. Merk collected three kills during that surge and Lyman registered four assists and a kill.

Loyola will host Lake Forest on Friday night in a "Volley for the Cure" event to raise funds for breast cancer research. A donation of $5 at the door is requested, and fans are urged to wear pink. The JV match begins at 5 p.m., followed by the varsity.