LEADING OFF 
No. 12 Loyola Chicago begins a six-match homestand against No. 8 Penn State on Friday, Jan. 10 at 7 p.m. and Maryville on Saturday, January 11 at 7 p.m. Friday's match is the season opener and Saturday's match is the Crohn's disease awarenss match. 

QUICK HITS 

• The Ramblers clocked in at No. 2 in the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) Preseason Poll (Dec. 17) and Parker Van Buren was named the MIVA Preseason Player of the Year while Nicodemus Meyer and Daniel Fabikovic were listed on the All-MIVA Preseason Team.
• Loyola tabbed No. 12 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Preseason Poll on Dec. 30, 2024.  
• Head coach Shane Davis steps back onto the court inside Gentile Arena to commence his 13th season at the helm of the program. He is joined by associate head coach Kyle Exline and assistant coach Dalton Solbrig, who are both making their Loyola coaching debuts. 
• The Maroon and Gold are returning 15 players, including five starters from last season, and welcoming eight newcomers. Veteran Ramblers Van Buren, Meyer, Fabikovic, Jake Read and JJ Sowa are the returning starters and Jackson Read and Jack Jedick are the new upperclassmen. There are six freshmen on this season's roster. 
• The Ramblers finished last season ranked third in the nation in hitting percentage (.350), assists per set (12.24) and kills per set (12.92).  

SCOUTING REPORT 
The Nittany Lions are No. 8 in the AVCA Preseason Poll and were chosen as the No. 1 favorite in the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) preseason poll after winning the tournament championship last season. Returning potential starters to Penn State are libero Ryan Merk, setter Michael Schwob and middle blocker Owen Rose. Penn State head coach Mark Pavlik is entering his 30th season with the program.  

Maryville opens its season at No. 14 Lewis on Friday before the match at Loyola on Saturday. Returning potential starters for the Saints are opposite hitter Luke Kraft, middle blocker David Fleischer and outside hitters Cameron Lee and Makai Scott. The Saints are in their final season competing as an independent before they join the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) beginning in the 2025-26 academic year. 

SERIES HISTORY  
The Ramblers hold the series advantage over both the Nittany Lions and the Saints. Loyola leads Penn State 11-8 in the all-time series; their most recent match from January 2020 resulted in a 3-0 sweep for the Nittany Lions. Loyola and Maryville met for the first time ever in January 2023 when the Ramblers bested the Saints 3-1 at home.  

FOLLOW THE ACTION 
Stream the match on Marquee Sports Network and ESPN+ and follow men's volleyball on Instagram and X @RamblersMVB for in-game updates.