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Outside attacker Thomas Jaeschke had 18 kills and a match-high 15 digs as No. 2 Loyola opened its NCAA title defense beating No. 6 BYU 25-17, 25-21, 22-25, 25-23 at the AVCA Showcase on Friday in Palo Alto, California.
Jaeschke, the 2014 MIVA Player of the Year, was one of three Ramblers with at least nine kills in the season-opener. Preseason All-American outside attacker Cody Caldwell finished with a match-high 19 kills, while middle attacker Owen McAndrews added nine kills.
The defending NCAA champions Loyola out-hit BYU .192 to .104, including having a .407 attack percentage in the opening game.
Opposite Kiril Meretev in the loss led BYU with seven kills.
Check out Off the Block special contributor Ted Wang’s postmatch interview with Loyola coach Shane Davis and Jaeschke.