Not many people need an 8:20 wake-up call on a Tuesday night.

Illinois woke up from its slumber, down 8-20 in the third match, grumpy and took it out on Loyola in the fourth game 30-22. The Illini (8-1), defeated the Ramblers (4-6) in four games Tuesday night (30-27, 30-21, 23-30, 30-22).

"I don't know what happened," Illinios junior libero Lauren Harks said. "I think that was just a fluke. We just had too many mistakes in a row."

Illinois turned it on in the fourth game, dominating play without letting Loyola get a consistent attack.

"We got into a hole to begin with but I'm proud of the way we fought back and got back into the game and carried it into the fourth game," Illinois senior middle blocker Shelly O'Bryan said.

Illinois started slowly in each of the first two games as well. Loyola had leads of 6-2 in the first game and 7-3 in the second game. Those early jolts only caused the Illini to momentarily stumble around on the court before getting woken up in the third game.

"I don't think the first two games we were with them up to point 20," Harks said. "Then at point 20 of the first and second game we pulled ahead ... this definitely wasn't the best volleyball we played this season."

In the first game Illinois worked through a slow start behind their outside hitters. Down 15-13, Illinois turned to senior outside hitter Melissa Vandrey and junior outside hitter Jessica Belter to spark a 12-5 run that helped seal the game one victory. Vandrey and Belter combined for seven kills in the game.

Illinois' defensive blocking helped them out in game two. Loyola was unable to get an open attack attempt, hitting .051 for the game. Senior middle blocker Lisa Argabright spearheaded the block, with one solo block and three assisted blocks in the game.

The Illinois block, along with the team's digging, helped pull the team through the game. Illinois recorded 16 blocks in the game. O'Bryan led the team with seven total blocks.

Harks had a season high 18 digs while junior defensive specialist Kathleen Bazzetta recorded 12 digs. Illinois digging and blocking held Loyola to .069 for the entire match.

"(Assistant head coach) Christine (Masel) is doing a real nice job on calling the serving and then our block is complementing the serve based on where we serve," Illinois head coach Don Hardin said. "It's nice when your defense can keep the other teams hitting down."

In the third game Loyola ran out in front and Illinois did not respond until after Illinois head coach Don Hardin called his team's final timeout down 8-20. The Illini rubbed their eyes, looked around and got to work. The Illini outscored Loyola the remainder of the third game, 13-8, but still lost the game 30-23.

Behind two early aces from Argabright and junior setter Erin Virtue, Illinois jumped out to an 8-4 lead in the fourth game. The Illini never looked back.

"Tonight when we weren't playing well we beat ourselves," Hardin said. "When we were playing well it was all us. It wouldn't have mattered who was across the net."