HONOLULU, Hawaii (Jan. 5, 2022) – Finally, the moment everyone has been waiting for: the start of the 2022 Loyola University Chicago men's volleyball season. After an unconventional campaign last spring due to COVID-19, the team is back in action, and their first match will bring all of the excitement Rambler fans have been missing.
After their New Year's Day showdown against No. 12 UC Irvine was cancelled, the No. 7 Ramblers had to wait five more days before starting their season as they took the skies and traveled to Hawaii to take on the No. 1 Rainbow Warriors of the University of Hawaii.
Series Stuff
The last time these two teams battled it out was back in Gentile Arena two years ago when Hawaii defeated Loyola in four very close sets. Overall, the Ramblers are 1-5 against this strong Hawaii team, which will be a tough test to start the 2022 season. The only win Loyola has against Hawaii is in Simplifi Arena back in 2007.
However, there are major differences in Hawaii's lineup now compared to last season. The Rainbow Warriors only return four of their eight key players compared to the Ramblers, who return all but one of their main contributors.
This is the first match of the season for both of these teams, which means no scouting could really be done before this match. It is a true test of the capabilities of these two top-10 teams.
Scouting The Rainbow Warriors
The reigning national champions are coming into this season with a spotlight on them as they head into their first match against the Ramblers. Hawaii's last game was played in the NCAA Championship, where they faced BYU and won in three sets.
As mentioned above, their lineup looks very different from last season. The only four players returning for Hawaii are Chaz Galloway, Jakob Thelle, Guilherme Voss and Spyros Chakas. The Rainbow Warriors lost some of their biggest contributors from their national championship team. Tonight's match will need to show the depth of their roster to fill those holes.
Scouting The Ramblers
This season, the Ramblers are returning most of their lineup from last season and hope to build off that success. They return all but one of their key players from last season, including Honorable Mention All-Americans
Garrett Zolg and
Cole Schlothauer, along with
Colton Brooks,
Matt Oakley,
Andrew Lyons,
Ben Montplaisir and
Jimmy Meinhart.
They ended last season in the top 10 in two key statistical categories, including digs per set and blocks per set. With the return of all of their top blockers and main back row defenders, the Ramblers look to be in a good spot heading into the season
The Matches
The first match of this two-game series will be on Wednesday, Jan. 5, beginning at 11 p.m. CT (7 p.m. Hawaii Time). The second match of this series on Friday, Jan. 7, will also begin at 11 p.m. CT (7 p.m. Hawaii Time). All the links to view, listen and follow along with the live stats for these games are available at loyolaramblers.com.
