CHICAGO (February 24, 2023) – Three days after capturing its fifth straight win, No. 10 Loyola (12-2, 5-0 MIVA) returns to action Saturday against McKendree (6-6, 1-4 MIVA) for a 5 p.m. CT first serve inside Gentile Arena. The Ramblers are looking to remain undefeated at home (7-0) this season while staying atop the MIVA standings.
 
Last Time Out
Loyola took down Lewis in four sets on the road Wednesday night, 27-25, 25-19, 19-25, 25-22. Parker Van Buren led the Ramblers with 24 kills, three digs and three block solos (career high), while Dan Mangun registered a double-double effort with 39 assists, 11 digs and two aces. In the opening set, the Ramblers were forced to overcome an early 6-1 deficit and didn't claim their first lead of the night until Cole Schlothauer's kill gave Loyola a 23-22 advantage. Schlothauer and Colton Brooks each finished with 10 and nine kills, respectively. Loyola hit .257 overall while Lewis was held to a .192 mark in team hitting percentage.
 
Series Stuff
Loyola will look to avenge a pair of five-set losses to McKendree last season, which snapped a 15-0 record in the all-time series with the Bearcats that dates to 2014. In the most recent meeting, which was hosted in Gentile toward the end of March last year, the Ramblers nearly pulled off a reverse sweep after the Bearcats opened the match with a 28-26 win in the opening set. Schlothauer (18) and Van Buren (17) combined for 35 kills in that contest. The Ramblers are 10-1 in home matches against McKendree.
 
Scouting McKendree
The Bearcats have dropped four of their five conference matches, including a four-set defeat to Purdue Fort Wayne Wednesday night at home. McKendree's wins this season were against Quincy (3-0), LIU (3-0), Missouri S&T (3-1), Harvard (3-2), Saint Francis (PA (3-1) and NJIT (3-1). The Bearcats rank fifth in the MIVA in team hitting percentage (.271) and fourth in opponent hitting percentage (.246), while allowing the most aces to opponents (1.51/set). Loyola leads the league in service aces at 1.96 per set. Freshman 6-foot-7 outside hitter Bryce Wetjen leads McKendree at 3.13 kills per set.
 
Up Next
Loyola will host Purdue Fort Wayne next Saturday, March 4 at 7 p.m. CT inside Gentile Arena.