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Volleyball swept at Loyola, fall to 0-19 overall

Bradley volleyball continued its slow march toward the wrong side of history Oct. 17 against Loyola, falling to 0-19 on the season after being swept by the Ramblers.

Coach Jenny Maurer explains the heavy travel has been tough, but the team remains alert and dedicated.

“Our goals haven’t changed; our expectations are still high,” Maurer said. “We are trying to get better everyday and make our way to [Missouri Valley Conference tournament].”

The current sixth, seventh and eighth place teams are tied and only three games ahead of the Braves.

After a 25-17 first set victory for Loyola, the Braves fell in the final two sets 25-20 and 25-18. The loss knocked Bradley’s MVC record to 0-9.

Even with the adversity the Braves have faced this season, Maurer said her team is focused on its overall goals.

“I think one of our strengths is our culture,” Maurer said. “We come and fight each and every match, so our team is working as hard as possible.”

Bradley senior Madison Kamp totaled four kills alongside freshman outside hitter Taylor Thiele’s eight kills, matching a season-high of three aces.

Sophomore Kelsey Cave missed seven games beforehand, but had a great showing with 10 kills and no errors, hitting the best of her season.

Mauer said that she is proud of the way Cave has been able to overcome the various injuries and adversities she has faced this season.

“Kelsey has come back with a sort of vengeance,” Maurer said. “I’m very happy with the way she has played, especially after dealing with two separate injuries. She’s shown a new level of commitment and toughness that we haven’t seen before.”

Maurer said that as the team reaches, the halfway point of MVC play, that her and her staff’s focus is to make sure the teams focus is on playing their style of play.

“We focus a lot about our side and how we play,” Maurer said. “When we talk about limiting errors, we try to instill confidence in our players and finding that middle ground between being aggressive and swinging as hard as you can.”

The Braves head on the road this weekend to play a pair of back-to-back matches. First the Braves play at Missouri State Oct. 24. then at Wichita State Oct. 25. Maurer and her squad return to Renaissance Coliseum for a pair of home games Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, against Southern Illinois and Evansville respectively.

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