Game Notes

Live Video vs. McKendree | Live Stats vs. McKendree

Live Video vs. Ohio State | Live Stats vs. Ohio State

CHICAGO (February 22, 2018) - Eighth-ranked Loyola has won eight of its last nine matches and returns to Gentile Arena to open up a five-match homestand, beginning with a showdown versus McKendree on Friday night. The Ramblers have won seven straight, and 11 of their last 13 matches, at home. Loyola has posted a 6-2 record against nationally ranked teams already surpassing its win total versus Top 15 teams from a year ago (5). 
 
Junior Will Tischler has come into his own since the month of February began. Over the last five matches, the junior outside hitter has recorded 10 or more kills on four occasions and is averaging 2.62 kills and 1.71 digs per set. In a five-set win at No. 14 Fort Wayne last Friday, he produced 11 kills and 12 digs for his first double-double since April 9, 2016 vs. Ball State (16 kills, 12 digs).
 
Senior Ricky Gevis is back to full strength after battling injuries the last two seasons and has ripped double-digit kills in six of the last seven outings, tallying 2.76 kills, 1.07 digs and 0.79 blocks per set over that timeframe.
 
Scouting McKendree
McKendree has won six of its last eight outings, including each of the last three, heading into Friday's match at Gentile Arena. The Bearcats are coming off a 3-1 victory over Quincy Monday night and are 1-2 in true road matches this year, with the lone win coming at Lindenwood on January 18. Loyola has won each of the previous seven meetings with McKendree and has never lost a set to the Bearcats. 
 
Freshman outside hitter Patrick Ross leads McKendree with 2.80 kills per set, while redshirt senior middle blocker Brendan Schmidt contributes 2.51 kills and a team-leading 1.11 blocks per set.
 
Scouting Ohio State
Since suffering a five-set loss at No. 2 UCLA on January 20, the fourth-ranked Buckeyes have rattled off eight straight wins. During its current winning streak, Ohio State has dropped just two sets, both to Ball State, two weeks ago. On the road this season, the Buckeyes are 2-1, with the only loss coming at the hands of UCLA last month. 
 
Loyola has dropped the last four meetings with two-time defending NCAA champion Ohio State, but prior to that had won the previous six matches.
 
Jake Hanes leads a balanced Buckeye attack with 3.92 kills per set, while Nicolas Szerszen pitches in 3.46 kills and 2.23 digs per set, hitting .364 (135-37-269).
 
Up Next
Loyola hosts No. 9 Lewis in a rare midweek contest on February 28.