CHICAGO (March 25, 2021) - Loyola, which is ranked No. 14 in this week's American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division I-II Poll, opens a pivotal two-match series at Ball State Friday night. The Ramblers have won three straight contests and last week, swept a two-match series from then-eighth-ranked McKendree, for its first wins over a nationally ranked opponent since a 3-1 decision versus No. 13 Purdue Fort Wayne on April 17, 2019. At 11-3 overall, Loyola is off to its best start through 14 matches since 2019, when it began the year with an 11-3 ledger.
 
This weekend's matches kick off a tough stretch to close out the regular season. At 7-3, Loyola and Ball State are tied with McKendree, one game behind league leader Lewis (8-2) in the MIVA race. Next weekend, the Ramblers host Lewis to close out the regular season.
 
Garrett Zolg was named Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) Defensive Player of the Week on March 22 after putting up 3.43 digs per set in two matches against McKendree last week. The setter totaled 17 digs in a four-set victory over the Bearcats on March 19, the most digs by a Rambler since Avery Aylsworth totaled 17 versus Ball State on April 18, 2018.
 
Luke Denton, who has posted 20+ kills in two of the last three outings, is averaging 5.18 kills, 2.63 blocks and 0.91 blocks per set in Loyola's last three matches. He ripped a career-high 25 kills, the most by a Rambler since Ben Plaisted on March 28, 2017, in Loyola's four-set win over No. 8 McKendree on March 19.
 
Loyola – Ball State – The Series
Friday's match will be the 59th meeting in a series that dates back to 1996 and Loyola owns a 34-24 advantage in the previous matchups. The Ramblers have won four of the last five meetings between the schools, although Ball State picked up a five-set victory in Chicago last February, despite 20 kills from Cole Schlothauer. Loyola has struggled when playing in Muncie and is only 9-18 (.333) there, dropping three of its last four matches at Worthen Arena.  However, the last time the Ramblers made the trip to Muncie, Will Tischler and Dane Leclair had 10 kills apiece to lead the Maroon and Gold to a 3-0 victory over the 15th-ranked Cardinals.
 
Scouting Ball State
Ball State brings a three-match winning streak into its weekend series with Loyola, although the Cardinals have split their last six outings. Friday's match will be BSU's first contest at Worthen Arena since a 3-2 loss to Ohio State on February 27. At home this season, the Cardinals have won six of seven matches, with the lone loss being the aforementioned matchup with the Buckeyes last month. Junior outside hitter Kaleb Jenness (3.93 kills, 1.63 digs per set) and graduate student Blake Reardon (3.68 kills, 1.17 digs per set) form a solid tandem for Ball State. Reardon's older sister, Morgan, starred at Loyola from 2013-16. 
 
Up Next
Loyola hosts No. 4 Lewis, April 1 and 2, to wrap up the 2021 regular season.