Feb. 3, 2006

Box Score

CHICAGO - Errors cost the 15th-ranked Patriots (7-2) Friday night against No. 11 Loyola University Chicago (10-0), as Mason lost its second match in a row by a final of three-games-to-zero (30-23, 30-21, 30-23).

The Patriots posted a season-low hitting percentage of .110 in the match, with 25 errors and 34 kills on 82 attempts. Mason hit .094 in the first game, .000 in the second game and .214 in the final game.

While the Patriots struggled to put the ball away, middle blocker James Grunst and opposite hitter Chris Kozlarek carried the attack for the Ramblers, each tallying 11 kills in the match. Grunst posted a superb .562 hitting percentage on his 16 attempts.

Loyola setter Brian Guntli was perfect in the match, with 38 assists on 38 attempts. Mason setter Bryan Newcomb nearly matched Guntli's perfect effort, recording 29 assists on 30 attempts.

Mason will attempt to get back on track in its two matches tomorrow, against Quincy (5-6) at 2 p.m. eastern time and Lewis (3-4) at 8 p.m. eastern time. Both matches will be played at the Neil Carey Arena on the campus of Lewis University in Romeoville, Ill.