Lewis Men's Volleyball Celebrates Rae Strong Night; Falls to Loyola - Lewis University Athletics (2024)

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – The No. 13 Lewis University men's volleyball team lost, 3-0, against No. 10 Loyola-Chicago Wednesday (Feb. 14) at Neil Carey Arena.

TEAM RECORDS
No. 10 Loyola 8-6 (3-1 MIVA) | No. 13 Lewis 7-5 (2-2 MIVA)

LEWIS LEADERS
Kills: Max Roquet (Johnston, Iowa/Johnston) (10), Daniel Haber (Remsenburg, NY/Westhampton Beach) (8)
Digs: Christian Prayer (St. Louis, Mo./Parkway North) (7)
Assists: Diego Estrada (Ponce, Puerto Rico/Adianez) (17), Carson Steinbach (Media, Penn./Penncrest HS) (13)
Blocks: Roquet (2), Shawn Baggs (Gilbert, Ariz./Casteel HS) (2)
Aces: Prayer (1), Haber (1), Estrada (1)

SET BREAKDOWN
Set 1: Loyola 25, Lewis 23
The first set started tight, with Lewis holding a 6-5 lead before Loyola went on a 5-1 run to take a 10-7 advantage. The Flyers charged right back with a 5-1 run of its own capped off by a service ace from Estrada.

Later in the set, a 9-3 push from the Ramblers put Loyola ahead, 23-18. Lewis took five of the next six points, including two kills and a block assist from Roquetbut a kill by the Ramblers finished the opening set win.

Set 2: Loyola 25, Lewis 23
The receiving team took each of the first 11 points in the second set until a block by the Ramblers gave it a 7-5 lead. A service error and kill by Prayer brought the Flyers back into a tie and things continued to go back-and-forth from there.

Lewis was finally able to take the lead at 20-19 after kills from Haber and Roquet, and went up 22-20 with an ace by Prayer. Loyola responded to take five of the last six points and earned the set win with a kill.

Set 3: Loyola 25, Lewis 19
The Flyers took two of the first three points including a kill by Michael Sack (Oak Lawn, Ill./St. Laurence) but the Ramblers then scored five of the next seven to go ahead, 6-4. A kill and an aceby Haber tied the score before a 3-0 Loyola push regained the lead for the Ramblers, 9-6.

Lewis was able to get back within one but later a 5-1 charge from Loyola with four kills put some cushion on the lead at 17-12. The Flyers battled back by taking three of the next four on kills by Nathan DeGraaf (Cranberry Township, Penn./Seneca Valley HS), Baggs and Roquet.

Another 3-1 run for Lewis got the Flyers within two, 21-19, but the Ramblers then scored the final four points with three more kills to take the match.

UP NEXT
Lewis men's volleyball hosts Lindenwood Friday (Feb. 16) at 7 p.m. CT at Neil Carey Arena for 'Fan Choice Night.'

It was Rae Strong night for the Flyers, as Lorelee Smith, Dan Friend and their daughter Rae were joined by Dylan Rose and her parents Marissa and Patrick Mendoza. Dylan Rose was born at 24 weeks and weighed 1lb 5 ounces and spent 137 days at the NICU at Edwards Hospital in Naperville. The experience for the Mendoza'shas been life changing.

A small excerpt on their story from raestrong.org reads: "With each test, each procedure, and each day she resided in the NICU she received a bead to be added to her collection, which were referred to as her Beads of Courage. These were physical reminders of Dylan's journey and told her story."

While Dylan is now two, they continue to have a busy E.I. schedule but have been able to be cleared from most specialists and adding only one: gastroenterologist. This journey has been nothing short of a roller coaster ride, but they couldn't be more proud of their little miracle and how far she's come. Dylan Rose is by far their greatest blessing, and they are so fortunate to be her parents.

Friend and Smith are extremely excited to have the Mendozas in the Rae Strong family. To read more about Dylan's story, or to donate to the Rae Strong Foundation, visit raestrong.org.