CHICAGO (Nov. 10, 2023) – Head coach John Hawks of the Loyola University Chicago men's volleyball team announced the Ramblers' 2024 schedule Friday. The two-time NCAA national champions are set to compete in 27 matches, including 15 inside Gentile Arena, this season.

LOOKING BACK
Loyola Chicago enters the 2024 campaign after an extremely successful 2023 season which saw the team earn a share of the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) regular season title after recording 21-7 overall mark and a 11-3 record in conference play.

In his first season at the helm, Hawks was tabbed the MIVA Coach of the Year while six student-athletes garnered All-MIVA honors in Parker Van Buren, Cole Schlothauer, Dan Mangun, Nicodemus Meyer, Jimmy Meinhart and Matt Oakley. Additionally, Van Buren logged American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-American second team honors while Schlothauer and Mangun tallied honorable mention accolades.

THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT
Joining the group of 17 returners is a strong class of 10 freshmen who will look to make an immediate impact on the 2024 squad. The class, ranked No. 4 in the nation by VolleyballMag.com, features seven newcomers hailing from California, two from Illinois, and one from the Czech Republic. 

Eight of the 10 student-athletes were tabbed to the 2023 VolleyballMag.com Boys Fab 50, the most selections of any DI-II program. Additionally, Cole Schobel was ranked the top setter in the class of 2023 by VolleyballMag.com and Daniel Fabikovic helped the U18 Czech Republic national team earn a silver medal at the European Championships.

THE SCHEDULE
The Maroon and Gold will open 2024 play on the road against defending Big West tournament and regular season champions, Hawai'i, Jan. 3 and 5 in beautiful Honolulu. The team will then head north to Palo Alto, Calif. as they take on Stanford Jan. 7 and 8 before returning to the friendly confines of Gentile.

The 'Blers kick off their home slate of action Jan. 11 as they host BYU for a single match. Two days later on Jan. 13, Loyola Chicago will welcome the defending NCAA national champions, UCLA, to Gentile. The six-match homestand continues Jan. 19-27 with matches against Kentucky State (Jan. 19), Merrimack (Jan. 20), Long Island Brooklyn (Jan. 26), and George Mason (Jan. 27).

The Ramblers begin MIVA play Feb. 1, facing Ball State to commence league action. Loyola will stay on the road and duke it out with Purdue Fort Wayne on Feb. 6.

After a brief break, the Maroon and Gold return to Rogers Park Feb. 9 as it hosts Ohio State. On Valentines Day, the Ramblers will take on Lewis Feb. 14 in Romeoville, Ill. before returning home Feb. 17 for a matchup with Ball State.

Two road matchups against Lindenwood will be up next for the 'Blers on Feb. 23 and 24 before the squad hosts Purdue Fort Wayne inside Gentile on Feb. 29. On March 2, the team will battle Ohio State in Columbus. Then, a three-match homestand will take place starting March 11 with a non-conference match against Princeton. Loyola Chicago will then host Quincy (March 14) and McKendree (March 16) before facing the same teams on the road March 21 and 23, respectively.

The regular season will end with three matches in Rogers Park - the Ramblers will play host to Queens March 28 and 30 before ending the regular season against Lewis April 6.

The MIVA Tournament quarterfinal round will begin April 13 while the semifinals will take place April 18. The tournament finals will occur April 20.  

Season tickets are now on sale for the 2024 season, including new reserved courtside seats. Courtside season tickets are $150/seat, while general admission season tickets are available for $75/seat. Single-game tickets are also available for $10 a match. Visit www.ramblertickets.com for more information.