CHICAGO (February 21, 2023) – No. 10 Loyola (11-2, 4-0) heads to local conference rival Lewis (8-7, 2-2) for Wednesday's MIVA battle, which is set for 7 p.m. CT in Romeoville. The first-place Ramblers are seeking their best start to MIVA play since the 2019 season.
 
LAST TIME OUT
Loyola swept then-ranked No. 10 Ohio State Saturday evening at Gentile Arena, 25-20, 25-21, 25-18, as the Ramblers captured sole possession of first place in the MIVA standings. Parker Van Buren tallied a match-high 13 kills and seven digs, while Cole Schlothauer added 12 kills along with nine from Colton Brooks. Loyola hit .355 (2nd highest in MIVA play) overall while limiting Ohio State to a .198 clip. The Ramblers totaled 10 team blocks with four players recording at least four block assists.
 
SERIES STUFF
After claiming both meetings last season, Loyola leads the all-time series with Lewis 37-30. The Ramblers snapped a seven-match losing streak to the Flyers with a pair of sweeps in the 2022 campaign, and tied the all-time series in contests hosted by Lewis in Romeoville at 16-16.
 
SCOUTING LEWIS
Lewis suffered its first home loss (6-1) last Friday in five sets to Lindenwood (25-21, 22-25, 25-22, 20-25, 15-12), as the Flyers have split each of the past two weekends in league play. Max Roquet led the Flyers with 15 kills and 10 digs the last time out, with the sophomore outside hitter ranking seventh in the MIVA in hitting percentage (.300) and kills per set (3.52). The Flyers were picked to finish fourth in the MIVA preseason poll, with Roquet and setter Kevin Kauling named preseason all-conference honorees.
 
UP NEXT
Loyola hosts McKendree in Saturday's MIVA matchup, with first serve slated for 5 p.m. CT, following the Loyola women's basketball contest against Saint Louis.