MIVA Release

CHICAGO - Loyola University Chicago outside hitter Thomas Jaeschke has been named 2015 Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) Player of the Year for the second straight season, the conference announced Thursday. Joining Jaeschke on the All-MIVA First Team is Peter Hutz, while Cody Caldwell and Jeff Jendryk earn Second Team honors.

Jaeschke has earned his second straight MIVA Player of the Year honor after putting together an incredible junior campaign, ending the regular season ranked first in the conference in both kills per set (4.20) and aces per set (0.57), while sitting second in hitting percentage (.390). Jaeschke averaged 4.36 kills per set with a .430 hitting percentage in MIVA play, helping lead the Ramblers to a 14-2 conference record. The junior recorded double-digit kills in 20 of his 23 appearances, including six double-doubles, and took home six MIVA Player of the Week awards this season, the most of any player in the conference. This year marks the third consecutive year that a Rambler has garnered MIVA Player of the Year accolades, as Joseph Smalzer took home the honor in 2013.

Joining Jaeschke on the All-MIVA First Team is junior setter Peter Hutz, who ended the regular season ranked first in the conference and second in the nation in assists per set (11.44). Hutz recorded at least 30 sets in 21 of his 24 appearances, including a season-high 55 at Saint Francis on Jan. 24. The junior also logged kills in 15 of Loyola's 24 matches, and ended the regular season ranked third on the team in both digs and blocks. He was named MIVA Defensive Player of the Week on April 14 after recording a career-high 11 digs in Loyola's sweep of Quincy on April 10.

Senior Cody Caldwell has earned a spot on the All-MIVA Second Team after ending the regular season ranked eighth in the conference in kills per set (3.10). Caldwell appeared in 18 matches for the Ramblers during the course of the season, recording double-digit kills in nine games, including two double-doubles. The Newport Beach, Calif., native hit for over .300 in ten of his 18 appearances, including five games with over a .400 hitting percentage.

Jeff Jendryk has also been named to the All-MIVA Second Team after an impressive freshman campaign, as he ended the regular season ranked sixth in the MIVA in blocks per set (1.18). He started all 24 contests for the Ramblers and led the team in blocks (93), ranked second in both hitting percentage (.498) and total points (211), and fourth in kills (147).

Joining Jaeschke and Hutz on the All-MIVA First Team are Geoff Powell (Lewis), Greg Petty (Lewis), Michael Henchy (Ohio State), Colin Hackworth (Lindenwood), Eric Fitterer (Lewis), Bobby Walsh (Lewis), Nicolas Szerszen (Ohio State) and Lucas Yanez (Lewis).

Caldwell and Jendryk are part of the All-MIVA Second Team that also includes Andrew Sellan (IPFW), Omar Rivera (IPFW), Alex Harthaller (IPFW), Scott Fifer (Lewis), Miles Johnson (Ohio State), Jack Gamache (Quincy), Ryan Mather (Grand Canyon) and Luis Bertran (IPFW).

The Ramblers open postseason play on Friday, hosting Quincy in the MIVA Quarterfinals at 7 p.m. CT inside Gentile Arena.