DUBUQUE, Iowa - The Illinois Wesleyan University men's volleyball team continued its College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin slate with a match against Loras College, who is currently receiving votes in the American Volleyball Coaches Association Top-15 poll, Saturday afternoon, March 12. The Duhawks swept the Green and White (25-19, 25-16, 25-14), in straight sets.  IWU's record sits at 6-11 (1-6 CCIW), while LC's record climbed to 16-3 (5-2 CCIW).

For the match, sophomore Julian Perez (Orland Park, Ill.-Carl Sandburg) paced the Green and White with his team-leading six kills, while freshman Jake Kougan (Frankfort, Ill.-Lincoln-Way East) notched five kills on the afternoon.

Sophomore Bradley Benson (Lemont, Ill.-Lemont Township) produced a team-high 12 assists and seven digs for the Titans.

For the match, Loras posted advantages in kills (43-22), aces (6-5), blocks (8-3), assists (37-20), and digs (39-32). The Duhawks held the Titans to a .011 hitting percentage for the match, while Loras hit at a staggering .452 clip.

In the opening set, Loras charged out to a commanding 4-0 advantage utilizing two kills and two Titan attack errors. The midway mark of the set saw the Duhawks out in front by a score of 14-8. The Titans were able to stave off three straight LC set points to cut the deficit to 24-19. In the end, a Green and White attack error ended the first set, 25-19, as Loras took the opening frame.

The Titans were able to earn a quick 3-0 cushion in the second set thanks to an Eastman kill, a Hartke kill, and an Eastman service ace. However, the lead was quickly erased as the Duhawks rattled off four straight to cling to a 4-3 advantage. With IWU down 12-10, LC utilized a momentum-shifting five point run to push the score to 17-13. The Titans could not overcome the deficit as Loras finished off set two with a score of 25-16. 

Loras raced out to a 6-0 lead in the third game. The early hole and the powerful Duhawk offense proved to be too much to overcome as LC swept IWU in straight sets with a set three victory of 25-14. 

The Green and White will enjoy five days off before the teams next scheduled match against No. 5 North Central College, Friday, March 18, with a first serve of 7 p.m. inside of the Shirk Center.