CHICAGO (April 14, 2022) – Following a successful season in the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association, five players from the Loyola University Chicago men's volleyball team earned postseason awards.
The biggest award coming in is for
Parker Van Buren. The redshirt freshman not only was named to the All-MIVA First Team, but he also received the Newcomer of the Year award. Van Buren shined in his first year on the court, racking up 357 kills, which was second in the MIVA behind Ball State's Kaleb Jenness. He also contributed 51 blocks, 101 digs and 17 aces.
Also joining Van Buren on the All-MIVA First Team is redshirt senior
Garrett Zolg and redshirt junior
Cole Schlothauer. This duo put up big numbers this whole season, being a key part of Loyola's success. Zolg ended the regular season with 804 assists, 171 digs and 33 aces, which is the most on the team in all three of those categories.
Schlothauer missed a portion of the season due to injury, but his impact on the team showed the moment he stepped back on the court. Even with his injury, he tallied 184 kills, 105 digs and 19 aces, the most of all three outside hitters who regularly saw time this season.
Along with the success of those three,
Andrew Lyons and
Henry Payne each grabbed a spot on the All-MIVA Second Team. The two seniors made huge contributions on the court.
Lyons started in the middle in 20 games this season, missing five games due to injury. The senior ended the regular season with the highest hitting percentage on the team with a .465, registering 114 kills and only 20 errors on 202 swings. He also led the team in blocks with 59, even finishing a four-set match with 11.
Payne shined in his final season with the Ramblers. He grew as an all-around outside hitter, ending the season third on the team in kills with 164 while also putting in work in the back row with 101 digs.
The Ramblers will now play in the MIVA Quarterfinals in Gentile Arena on Saturday, April 16, at 5 p.m. Loyola will take on the Lions of Lindenwood to see who will move on to Wednesday's semifinal match. The game will have live stats and be streamed on ESPN+.
