Game Notes | Live Stats

CHICAGO (April 12, 2018) - Eighth-ranked Loyola begins its quest for a berth in the NCAA tournament when it faces Lindenwood in a Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association Tournament quarterfinal round match Saturday night at Gentile Arena. The second-seeded Ramblers are facing the No. 7 seed Lions for the first time in postseason play. Loyola has won the MIVA Tournament title three times - 2013, 2014 and 2015 - in its history and is 1-2 in league postseason play under third-year head coach Mark Hulse. 

The Ramblers captured a share of the MIVA regular season title this season, marking the sixth time in program history they have claimed the crown. This was Loyola's fifth MIVA regular-season championship since 2003. Loyola enters the MIVA Tournament with 21 wins. One of the most consistent programs in the nation over the last decade plus, Loyola has won 20 or more contests 11 times in the last 14 seasons, including five times in the last six years.

Scouting Lindenwood

Lindenwood has dropped six of its last seven contests, and its only win during that stretch came versus Loyola last Thursday. The Lions have lost their last three, and six of their last seven, true road contests. Loyola leads the all-time series with Lindenwood, 18-2, although the teams have split the last four meetings. 

Since joining the conference, Lindenwood has won just one MIVA Tournament contest, topping Fort Wayne in five sets in 2015. 

Junior middle blocker Connor Hipelius leads Lindenwood with 169 kills, 96 blocks and a .396 hitting percentage (169-43-318).

Up Next

The winner of Saturday's match will take on either Ball State or McKendree in the MIVA semifinals on Wednesday, April 18.