Oct. 17, 2013

Complete 2014 Schedule

CHICAGO - Following a banner year that saw the program make its first-ever Final Four appearance, the Loyola University Chicago men's volleyball team has finalized its schedule for the upcoming season. The 2014 campaign will feature 15 home contests, highlighted by the season-opener against UC Irvine, the two-time defending National Champion. Loyola's Gentile Arena will also play host to the NCAA Men's Volleyball Final Four this season, adding even more incentive for the Ramblers to make their second consecutive appearance in the event.

"We have a great non-conference schedule beyond our already challenging conference slate this season," commented Loyola head men's volleyball coach Shane Davis. "Our season opener against defending National Champion UC Irvine along with a mixture of games against teams from MPSF, EIVA and Conference Carolinas will definitely benefit us in preparation for postseason play."

Loyola opens the season with a run of five straight matches inside the friendly confines of Gentile Arena. After meeting the Anteaters on Jan. 2, the Ramblers will be right back out on the court the following two nights when they host BYU and USC on Jan. 3 and 4, respectively.

Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) play begins on Feb. 1 when the Ramblers welcome the Ohio State Buckeyes to Rogers Park at 7 p.m. The home conference slate also includes matchups with IPFW, perennial rival Lewis, Ball State, Lindenwood and Quincy. The only conference foe that is not scheduled to visit Chicago during regular season play is Grand Canyon, who the Ramblers will play back-to-back games against on Feb. 14 and 15 in Phoenix, Ariz. Davis realizes that having such a high number of games at home is something that his squad must take full advantage of.

"Having 15 out of our 25 matches on our home court is a huge advantage for us," continued Davis. "It'll be great to have the Rambler faithful supporting us as we strive to make a second-consecutive appearance in the Final Four."

The 2014 squad returns 17 letterwinners from last year's team that posted a 22-10 overall record en route to capturing the program's first conference tournament championship in program history. That group is highlighted by senior Joseph Smalzer, the reigning MIVA Player of the Year and a 2013 Second Team All-America selection by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA), and sophomore Thomas Jaeschke, the 2013 MIVA Freshman of the Year.