Game Notes | Live Stats

CHICAGO (April 16, 2018) - When Loyola and Ball State square off in a Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association semifinal round contest Wednesday night, they will be meeting in the postseason tournament for the second straight year. The Ramblers are 16-1 at Gentile Arena this season and have won 20 of their last 22 matches at home. Since dropping a 3-0 decision to Long Beach State on January 13, Loyola has rattled off 15 consecutive wins at Gentile Arena. Loyola has won the MIVA Tournament title three times - 2013, 2014 and 2015 - in its history and is 2-2 in league postseason play under third-year head coach Mark Hulse. 
 
Loyola enters Wednesday's MIVA semifinal with 22 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.The Ramblers have fared well in contests that have gone the minimum three sets (11-1) or full distance of five sets (5-0), going a combined 16-1 in those outings.
 
Scouting Ball State
Ball State has prevailed in each of its last five matches since falling to Loyola and Lewis in consecutive outings in late March. The Cardinals have dropped four of their last five contests on the road. Matt Szews (2.86 kills, 1.67 digs per set) and Matt Walsh (2.41 kills, 1.19 blocks per set) lead a balanced Ball State attack. BSU ranks first in the MIVA with 10.40 digs per set.
 
Loyola owns a 31-23 advantage in the all-time series with Ball State and has dominated play in Chicago, posting a 21-3 record versus the Cardinals in the Windy City. In fact, the Ramblers have won each of the last 20 matchups in Rogers Park since a 3-1 loss in the MIVA Tournament on April 17, 1999. When the teams last met in the postseason, on April 15, 2017, Ball State earned a 3-1 win at Worthen Arena in Muncie, Indiana.
 
Up Next
The winner of Wednesday's match will face the winner of the match between top-seeded Ohio State and No. 4 seed Lewis. On Saturday, April 21 at the site of the highest remaining seed.