CHICAGO (November 21, 2019) – The Loyola University Chicago men's volleyball team, which finished the 2019 season ranked No. 9 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association Division I-II Poll, will play eight matches against teams that were ranked in the final poll, according to the schedule announced today by head coach Mark Hulse.
 
Opening weekend for the Maroon & Gold begins January 2 and 3, as the Ramblers host King and face BYU for the first time since 2018. BYU, who finished 11^th in the AVCA final poll, will be the first of six 2019 ranked opponents that Loyola will face in 2020.
 
The Ramblers head to California the following weekend to square off against Big West foes UC-San Diego on January 9 and UC-Irvine on January 10 before hosting a stretch of matches at Gentile Arena. The Maroon & Gold will welcome Penn State (Jan. 17), 2019 national runner-up Hawai'i (Jan. 18), Charleston (Jan. 24) and Urbana (Jan. 25). In 2019, Hawai'i won the Big West title and earned the top seed in the NCAA Tournament, finishing the season with only three losses. Loyola will then take a quick trip to Fairfax, Virginia to face Barton and George Mason Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 for two matches on the George Mason campus.
 
On Feb. 8, Loyola opens MIVA play at home for its only home match in five matches against Purdue-Fort Wayne. Loyola last met PFW in the MIVA Tournament semifinals on April 17, 2019 and defeated the Mastodons, 3-1 to earn a spot in the championship.
 
The Ramblers take another road trip to face MIVA foes Quincy (Feb. 13) and Lindenwood (Feb. 15), which will be the precursor to a three-match homestand against conference opponents Ohio State (Feb. 21), Ball State (Feb. 22) and McKendree (Feb. 27).
 
Lewis will be Loyola's next road opponent on Feb. 29. The Ramblers fell to then-ranked No. 4 Lewis (25-5 in 2019) in three sets in the MIVA Championship last season and will look to capture their first win against the Flyers since March 17, 2018. Following the match, the Ramblers will head to Purdue Fort Wayne (March 5) before facing Lewis for the second time in under two weeks, this time welcoming them to Gentile Arena on March 13.
 
Taking a brief break from conference play, Loyola continues their homestand with three matches against Lincoln Memorial (March 15), Princeton (March 20) and Emmanuel (March 22).
 
On March 28, the Ramblers make one more trip to McKendree before hosting their final home matches of the season against Lindenwood (April 3) and senior night against Quincy (April 4). The Ramblers conclude the regular season on the road with matches at Ball State (April 9) and Ohio State (April 11).
 
Season ticket packages for the 2020 Loyola men's volleyball season are now available for $75 and include all 16 home matches at more than 50% off single-match prices. Discounts are available for Loyola faculty and staff members. Click here to reserve.
 
Full Schedule Below:
 
Jan. 2 – vs. King, 7 p.m.
Jan. 3 – vs. BYU, 7 p.m.
Jan. 9 – at UC San Diego, 7 p.m.
Jan. 10 – at UC Irvine, 7 p.m.
Jan. 17 – vs. Penn State, 7 p.m.
Jan. 18 – vs. Hawaii, 7 p.m.
Jan. 24 – vs. University of Charleston, 7 p.m.
Jan. 25 – vs. Urbana University, 7 p.m.
Jan. 31 – at Barton College (at George Mason), 5 p.m.
Feb. 1 – at George Mason, 7 p.m.
Feb. 8 – vs. Purdue Fort Wayne, 7 p.m.
Feb. 13 – at Quincy, 7 p.m.
Feb. 15 – at Lindenwood, 4 p.m.
Feb. 21 – vs. Ohio State, 7 p.m.
Feb. 22 – vs. Ball State, 7 p.m.
Feb. 27 – vs. McKendree, 7p.m.
Feb. 29 – at Lewis, 7p.m.
March 5 – at Purdue Fort Wayne, 7 p.m.
March 13 – vs. Lewis, 7 p.m.
March 15 – vs. Lincoln Memorial (LMU), 7 p.m.
March 20 – vs. Princeton, 7 p.m.
March 22 – vs. Emmanuel College, 3 p.m.
March 28 – at McKendree, 3:30 p.m.
April 3 – vs. Lindenwood, 7 p.m.
April 4 – vs. Quincy (Senior Night), 7 p.m.
April 9 – at Ball State, 7 p.m.
April 11 – at Ohio State, 5 p.m.
April 18 – at MIVA Tournament (Fort Wayne, Ind.)