CHICAGO (January 19, 2023) – The Loyola University Chicago men's volleyball team heads east this weekend for the squad's first road trip of the season with non-conference matches against NJIT and LIU. The Ramblers, who check in at No. 11 in this week's national coaches' poll, bumping up a spot after a 3-0 start, will take on NJIT (2-2) in Newark, N.J. Friday night at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN+. The Ramblers head to Brooklyn, N.Y. for Saturday's 6 p.m. CT tilt against LIU (3-1) which airs on NEC Front Row.
LAST TIME OUT
Loyola opened the season with three consecutive sweeps last week against Missouri S&T, King and UC San Diego. The Ramblers impressed offensively, hitting a combined .368 as a team with 29 service aces, led by
Parker Van Buren who picked up MIVA Offensive Player of the Week honors. Van Buren tallied 27 kills (3.86/set) and nine aces while hitting over .400 in all three appearances.
Cole Schlothauer helped lead the way with 18 kills along with
Jack Yentz with 17. In the most recent outing, the Ramblers swept the Tritons in front of 1,403 fans last Friday with Schlothauer and Van Buren combining for 27 kills, while
Dan Mangun dished out 34 assists and recorded a team-high seven digs. Loyola rarely fell behind and never trailed by more than two points the entire contest.
SERIES STUFF
Making its first trip to Newark in 10 years, Loyola will look to remain unbeaten in the all-time series against NJIT after winning all 12 of the previous meetings between the two programs, dating back to 1996. The two teams met last year in Chicago with the Ramblers pulling out a four-set victory, led by Van Buren with 15 kills. Loyola will meet LIU for the first time in program history with the Sharks men's volleyball program competing in just their second season of existence.
SCOUTING NJIT
NJIT enters the match at 2-2 overall after a sweep over Sacred Heart in its home opener last Saturday. Sophomore outside hitter Alessandro Negri leads the way with 39 kills in four matches, after earning freshman All-American honors from OffTheBlock last season. The Highlanders finished the 2022 season with a 17-11 overall mark and made an appearance in the 2022 EIVA finals for the third time in program history. The 17 wins was the second most wins since the 2007 season. NJIT was picked to finish second in the 2023 EIVA Preseason Coaches Poll. The Highlanders picked up one first-place vote and were second in the ballot behind conference favorite Penn State.
SCOUTING LIU
LIU is off to a 3-1 start and will host the Ramblers in the home opener at Steinberg Wellness Center. The Sharks are slated to play three consecutive nights, which included a win over George Mason Thursday before taking on No. 3 Long Beach State in Fairfax, Va. on Friday night. Sophomore outside hitter Gustavo Cavalcanti (3.80) leads three players averaging over three kills per set, as the Sharks are hitting over .300 as a team and limiting opponents to below .200. LIU went 13-15 in its inaugural season last year including a 5-3 mark in home matches.
UP NEXT
Loyola returns to Gentile next weekend to play host to Maryville (Jan. 27) and St. Francis Brooklyn (Jan. 28).
