Men’s Volleyball Defeats Mount Olive in Homestand Finale

Men’s volleyball maintained their winning streak at home following a victory over the University of Mount Olive Jan. 25.

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Parker Van Buren and Brad Bell team up for a block during sweep against Mount Olive (Megan Dunn | The Phoenix).
Parker Van Buren and Brad Bell team up for a block during sweep against Mount Olive (Megan Dunn | The Phoenix).

The No. 8 Loyola men’s volleyball team remains undefeated after six games at home. 

They continued their strong start to the season with a commanding three-set win over the University of Mount Olive Jan. 25 at Gentile Arena, with strong individual performances and dynamic team chemistry 

Loyola has been firing on all cylinders, led by redshirt fourth-year outside hitter Parker Van Buren, who earned MIVA Offensive Player of the Week after a dominant performance that included 38 points across two straight matches. Van Buren’s 4.08 kills per set have been crucial to the Ramblers’ success, along with second-year outside hitter Daniel Fabikovic, who ranks among MIVA’s leaders in kills and hitting percentage.

The set began with Mount Olive’s Jackson Lahey delivering a kill. Loyola quickly responded with a kill by second-year outside hitter Jake Read, assisted by third-year setter Ryan McElligott, to level the score at 1-1. 

The teams exchanged points in the early stages, with notable kills by Mount Olive’s Kory Grant and Loyola’s third-year middle blocker Brad Bell making it 3-2 in favor of the Trojans.

The Trojans extended their lead to 5-2 following a service ace by Tate Sandvig. However, Loyola capitalized on a Sandvig service error and an attack error by Blake Hosic, narrowing the gap to 5-4. The Trojans then seized momentum, benefiting from consecutive attack errors by Fabikovic, which prompted a Loyola timeout with Mount Olive ahead 8-5.

After the timeout, Loyola’s offense ignited. A kill by Van Buren, a service ace by Fabikovic and a Sandvig error tied the score at 8-8.

Loyola embarked on a significant run. A Van Buren kill, followed by a service ace by Fabikovic, pushed the Ramblers ahead 10-8. Mount Olive struggled with errors, including a service error by Lahey and an attack error by Hosic, allowing Loyola to extend their lead to 12-9.

The Ramblers’ firing pressure continued with a kill by Read and a Fabikovic ace widened the gap to 14-9.

Loyola’s defense also played a crucial role, with a block assist by McElligott and fourth-year middle blocker Nicodemus Meyer followed by a kill by Fabikovic, increasing the lead to 16-9. Mount Olive managed a point through a service error by Fabikovic, but Loyola quickly regained control with a Meyer kill extending the lead to 18-10.

The set concluded with a series of strong plays from Loyola. A service ace by redshirt first-year outside hitter Tyler Howard, followed by a Van Buren kill, brought the score to 20-10. The Ramblers sealed the set with a final kill by McElligott, assisted by Read, securing a 25-10 victory.

The second set witnessed a more competitive exchange. Mount Olive took an early 5-2 lead, with kills by Grant and a service ace by Sandvig. Loyola responded with a Read kill and capitalized on Trojan attack errors, leveling the score at 7-7. 

The teams continued to trade points, with notable kills by Van Buren and Grant. AFabikovic ace tied the score at 9-9. The Ramblers then pulled ahead, with consecutive kills by Read and Van Buren.

Despite Mount Olive’s efforts, including three more kills by Sandvig, an ace from Hosic and a few Rambler attacking errors, Loyola maintained their lead, with a final kill by McElligott securing a 25-19 win.

Mount Olive displayed resilience in the third set. After an initial lead by Loyola, the Trojans fought back with kills by Grant and a service ace by Sandvig to tie it at 5-5. The teams exchanged points, with notable plays by Van Buren and Grant. A service ace by Loyola’s redshirt freshman outside hitter Tyler Howard extended their lead to 23-18

Mount Olive responded with a challenged net violation, successfully starting a 3-0 run with a kill and solo block by Ekberg to narrow the 24-22 gap. However, a final kill by McElligott clinched the set at 25-22, completing the sweep for Loyola.

Van Buren once again led the Ramblers, finishing with 11 kills and five aces. Fabikovic and Bell also had standout performances, together contributing seven kills and four blocks throughout the match.

 Read said the team’s chemistry is a driving force behind their success.

“Everyone’s contributing and doing their part,” Read said. “Tonight, the aces—especially Parker’s run—gave us the spark and cushion we needed.”

Head coach Shane Davis talked about the team’s growth and execution, highlighting defensive improvements and adjustments early in the season.

“Every week has been about improving specific areas,” Davis said. “Tonight, we focused on prepping on both sides of the ball. Defensively, we did a much better job picking up tips and roll shots, converting opportunities we missed earlier in the week.”

The Ramblers now shift their focus to their first road trip in Southern California, where they’ll face some of the nation’s top programs, including No. 10 Pepperdine University and No. 24 University of California at San Diego. 

Read said he’s excited for the upcoming matches, particularly for the chance to face his brother Brendan, a fourth-year Libero at Pepperdine.

“It’ll be a fun match,” Read said. “I’ve watched them for years, so I’m familiar with their squad. This win gives us momentum heading into the week.”

The first serve of the road trip will be Jan. 30 at 9 p.m. in Malibu, Calif., and the second game is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. versus the Tritons in La Jolla, Calif.

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