St. Ignatius slows Ramblers’ express

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Loyola's Anna Pontarelli attacks a spike during nonconference action against Highland Park. | Joel Lerner~Sun-Times Media

Updated: November 11, 2011 2:42PM

Loyola girls volleyball coach Jenny Morris wants to look at last week’s straight-set loss to St. Ignatius as a speed bump and not a barricade to a good season.

The Ramblers couldn’t run an effective offense after their passing broke down against the Wolfpack in the 25-18, 25-16 loss that snapped Loyola’s five-match win streak.

“We’ve been playing very well, and one of the reasons was because of our passing,” Morris said. “We really solidified that as a strength. It was probably one of our worst passing games since the beginning of the season. If you can’t pass, you can’t run plays.

“We were our own worst enemy.”

The loss dropped Loyola to 2-1 in the GCAC Red. The Ramblers were scheduled to play McAuley and Regina this week before heading to Stevenson’s tournament Saturday.

“I hope (the St. Ignatius game) was a hiccup,” Morris said.

When Loyola’s offense hums, the Ramblers are tough to stop. Options include middle Kaitlin Mohr and outside hitters Michelle DiSilvestro and Anna Pontarelli. Mohr managed six kills and three blocks against St. Ignatius, but the Ramblers struggled getting her the ball.

Those three are big reasons why the Ramblers are enjoying one of their best offensive seasons in recent memory. Pontarelli leads the team in kills, but Morris said the junior wasn’t herself against St. Ignatius.

“She was a little rattled, and that never happens to her,” the coach said. “But everyone’s allowed a game like that. We were just hoping someone else would step up.”

Despite last week’s defeat, Morris likes the play of her defensive specialists, which were a weakness a year ago. Hayley Johnson, Grace Kane and Lindsay McKerr are “more than holding their weight,” Morris said.

“We just shot ourselves in the foot.”