CHICAGO (April 15, 2023) – The Loyola University Chicago's men's volleyball team saw their season come to an end Saturday, as the Ramblers dropped a 3-2 decision to McKendree in the quarterfinals of the MIVA Tournament.
 
Parker Van Buren, recently named All-MIVA First Team, had a team-high 21 kills on a .526 hitting percentage. Cole Schlothauer added 16 kills while Dan Mangun chipped in a double-double with 50 assists and 11 digs.
 
Loyola, who entered the tournament as the No. 2 seed, had nearly a 100-point advantage in hitting percentage over the seventh-seeded Bearcats (.415/.333) and was +6 in total blocks but was unable to fend off the resilient McKendree squad.
 
How it Happened
Loyola jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead in the match, taking the opening set by a 25-19 margin. The Ramblers hit a blistering .625%, its highest hitting percentage in any set Saturday, to easily keep the Bearcats at bay.
 
The visitors, looking to upset a Loyola squad that had not lost at home all season, took the next two sets by 25-23 and 25-20 margins to find themselves a set from victory. After hitting just .185 as a team in the third set, Loyola rebounded with another strong offensive effort. Behind 14 kills, Loyola hit .609 as a team to force a decisive fifth set with a 25-20 victory.
 
In the clinching set, a kill from Schlothauer put the Ramblers in front by a 10-8 margin. Five straight points by McKendree, including two consecutive kills by Brian Wetjen to open the run, pulled the Bearcats back in front at a 13-10 lead.
 
Van Buren kills brought the Ramblers within two at 13-11 and again at 14-12, but it was the closet the Ramblers would get down the stretch as McKendree would seal the match with a 15-12 decision.
 
Inside the Numbers

• Loyola finishes the 21-7 overall and 14-1 inside Gentile Arena.
• The Ramblers picked up their first share of a regular season conference title for the first time since 2018.