CHICAGO (April 20, 2022) – The Loyola University Chicago men's volleyball team is moving its way through the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association's Tournament as it hosts one of the semifinal rounds against Purdue Fort Wayne. The second-seeded Ramblers defeated the sixth-seeded Mastodons both times in the regular season, and the Maroon and Gold hope to continue that streak tonight. 
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Ramblers hosted one of the quarterfinal rounds in Gentile Arena as the seventh-seeded Lindenwood University Lions attempted a run in the MIVA Tournament. However, Loyola stomped those hopes in three sets to move onto the next round. 
 
MASTERING THE MASTODONS
The sixth-seeded Purdue Fort Wayne is the only team left in the MIVA tournament to cause an upset. The Mastodons defeated McKendree University to move on to the semifinals in Gentile Arena against the second-seeded Loyola Ramblers. 
 
Troy Gooch is one of the best defenders in the country, and by far is the best defensive player in the MIVA. He is second in the    country in digs with 228 while sitting in 11th in digs per set with 2.28. These numbers are good enough to be the best in the MIVA.
 
This team is also one of the best in the country when it comes to serving. The Mastodons are ninth in the NCAA and No. 1 in the MIVA in aces per set, averaging 1.60. 
 
Rico Wardlow is also a huge force on offense. He is seventh in the NCAA and No. 1 in the MIVA when it comes to hitting percentage with a .445. Teammate Bryce Walker is close behind with a .397, which is good enough to be 14th in the NCAA and third in the MIVA. When it comes to the numbers, Jon Diedrich is second in the NCAA for the number of kills as he averages 3.96 per set.
 
WHEREABOUTS
These two teams will duke it out in Gentile Arena with first serve at 7 p.m. A live stream through ESPN+ and live stats will be available for this game.