Score: VCU 3, Loyola Chicago 2 (13-25, 25-22, 14-25, 25-23, 15-9)
Location: Chicago, Ill. (Gentile Arena)
Records: VCU 9-8 (7-2 Atlantic 10), Loyola 9-11 (4-5)
 
The short story: Freshman Lara Del Core and junior Julia Rienks combined for seven kills in the fifth-set tiebreaker as VCU stormed past Loyola Chicago in a come-from-behind victory Saturday at Gentile Arena.
 
OPENING VOLLEY

• Del Core and Rienks each finished with 12 kills overall Saturday. Rienks hit .250 and added four blocks and four service aces. Del Core hit .292 on the day
• Graduate middle blocker Jasmine Knight hit .391 on 23 attempts and finished with 11 kills and four blocks for VCU
• Junior outside hitter Alicja Jaryszek also supplied 10 kills, five digs and two blocks for the Black and Gold, while setters Taylor Aguano and Abby Edwards combined for 45 assists and 15 digs
• Marta Cvitkovic led all players with 17 kills for the Ramblers 

THE DIFFERENCE

• Behind Del Core and Rienks, VCU hit .381 in the fifth set on the way to a 15-9 triumph. Rienks spiked five kills on eight tries and did not commit and error, while Del Core added a pair. In all, they combined to hit .583 in the frame
• VCU closed the match with a 6-0 blitz, fueled in part by back-to-back Del Core kills, while Knight dunked a Loyola overpass on the final play to clinch the win
• The Rams trailed 20-19 in the fourth, but Jaryszek and senior outside hitter Parker Hartzell each provided a pair of kills during a 6-2 VCU burst to close out the stanza
• VCU hit .261 in the match and served up seven aces

NOTABLE
The Rams have won a season-high five matches to move into sole possession of second place in the Atlantic 10 Conference with a 7-2 league mark.
 
NEXT UP
The Black and Gold will host George Washington Oct. 25-26 at the Stuart C. Siegel Center. Friday's match will get underway at 6 p.m. on ESPN+.