CHICAGO (Feb. 10, 2022) – Following a battle with No. 8 Grand Canyon, the Loyola University Chicago men's volleyball team will kick off Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association play Thursday, Feb. 10, as they host the Quincy University Hawks. 
 
Heading into the season, Loyola was voted to finish at the top of the MIVA while Quincy was voted to finish in eighth after a 2-12 conference record last season. This match between the Ramblers and the Hawks will be the first one for the MIVA this year. 
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Ramblers welcomed the No. 8 Lopes of Grand Canyon to Gentile for their last match before conference play. Although it only lasted three sets and went in favor of the Lopes, there was much to be proud of for the Ramblers. They almost took the third set from this top-ranked team, coming up short in a 26-24 match. Parker Van Buren continues to have a standout freshman campaign as he tallied 15 kills, which was a match-high on the floor. 
 
SCOUTING THE HAWKS
Quincy currently has a 3-3 record, but not for a lack of trying. The Hawks only had one match go three sets, which they won against NAIA institution William Penn. Every other match they played this season has gone four or more sets. All six of their opponents have been NAIA teams. 
 
Out of the 36 times Quincy played Loyola, 25 of those were sweeps by the Ramblers. The one win the Hawks secured over Loyola in 2011 was a five-set thriller.
 
Quincy had one of the best four-set performances this year in the NCAA from the back row. When they played Missouri Baptist, the team registered 57 digs, which was the most by any team playing in a four-set match this season. Individually, Dominik Wagiel helped the team reach this milestone as he tallied 20 of those digs. 
 
The key players for the Hawks are outside hitter Nathan Lawton, defensive specialist Wagiel and middle blocker Cooper Coleman. Based on the team's statistics for the season, these three are their top performers on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. 
 
WHEREABOUTS
The match is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 10, with first serve at 3 p.m. in Gentile Arena. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ and live stats will also be available.