Loyola Men’s Volleyball Team’s Quest for a MIVA Championship

The No. 10 Loyola men’s volleyball team (19-4, 9-1) sits atop the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) conference standings after losing just one game in conference play. With four games left, however, the season is far from over. 

The Ramblers are slated to host their last two games against Lindenwood University March 31 and Quincy University April 1. To close out the season, the Ramblers will go on the road to compete against No. 11 Ball State University Apr. 6 and No. 12 The Ohio State University Apr. 8, who sit at second and third in the MIVA rankings, respectively.

The Ramblers won in a five-set match in their first outing versus Lindenwood. This season, the Lions’ Diego Negron and A.J. Lewis both won all-conference honors, with Negron receiving first-team All-MIVA honors and Lewis receiving second-team All-MIVA honors.

The Quincy University Hawks currently sit eighth in the MIVA rankings. In their previous meeting, the Hawks were swept by Loyola, led by Cole Schlothauer and Parker Van Buren, tallying eight kills each. The Ramblers earned their 27th consecutive win in the all-time series versus Quincy.

Ball State had four athletes, two of whom returned this season, with All-American Honors in their 2022 season. On the sideline, Cardinals Head Coach Donan Cruz has been selected as AVCA coach of the year for the five times in her eleven full seasons at the helm of the Cardinals after leading them to a 23-2 overall record. Their only two losses this season have been against Loyola and Ohio State.

In the 2022 season, three of Ohio State’s student-athletes received All-MIVA distinctions. Jacob Pasteur and Samuel Clark, who were selected to the First and Second All-MIVA Teams, respectively, returned for the Buckeyes in the 2023 season. Besides their defeat against Loyola Feb. 18, their two only MIVA losses have come at the hands of Ball State and Lindenwood — two of Loyola’s last four opponents.

In previous outings versus these opponents, the Ramblers have dominated, taking down Ball State 3-1 Feb.16 and sweeping Ohio State in three sets Feb. 18.

First Year libero J.J. Sowa said the key to staying tough versus these opponents lies in a motto the team has had all season.

“Our motto has been, ‘Tough Together,’” Sowa said. “It’s going to take everyone in practice — in the game — giving energy on the court.”

First-year Bryce Robbins said he has confidence in the team’s training, stating as long as they run the systems they’ve been running in practice throughout the season, they should be fine. Va

Van Buren added how important it is for the team to be dialed-in towards the end of the season, as it brings tough challenges, especially facing two of their conference toughest opponents.

“The playoffs are huge,” redshirt sophomore outside hitter Van Buren said. “Anything can happen. We can go in with the best record we can go in winning the conference. We can go on last in the conference and come out on top.”

Van Buren said the team chemistry feels good, adding his confidence in the team winning the conference en route to the NCAA Tournament.

Sophomore middle blocker Nicodemus Meyer said the Ramblers’ key to success is having consistent service pressure to put both teams into uncomfortable positions. 

The MIVA Tournament is set to start April 15, with the Championship game scheduled for April 22. The location has yet to be announced.

Featured image courtesy of Steve Woltmann for Loyola Athletics