CHICAGO – Loyola Chicago men's volleyball is excited to announce five signees from the class of 2026 on National Signing Day. Head coach Shane Davis and his staff welcome two stateside student-athletes and three internationals, making it the program's largest international recruiting class ever.
Matthew Kelly | Libero | Manhattan Beach, Calif. | Loyola
Matthew Kelly, a skilled libero out of Manhattan Beach, Calif., is a 6-foot-3 varsity letterman who helped his team to CIF, state and national championships during his sophomore season. He garnered All-Mission League First Team honors the following year. The defensive specialist is also a two-time Junior Olympics gold medalist with his club team, Manhattan Beach Surf. Kelly comes from a highly athletic family with collegiate experience across multiple sports and schools, including his older brother Sean who plays men's volleyball at UCLA.
Davis on Kelly: "Matty plays the game with grit, confidence, and a championship mindset. He's one of the top liberos in his class, with the athleticism and awareness that immediately raise the level of our gym. His competitive fire and steadiness in the back row fit perfectly with the culture we're building here at Loyola."
Nicola Konstantinov | Outside Hitter | Sofia, Bulgaria | 166 Vasil Levski
Loyola welcomes Nicola Konstantinov, a talented 6-foot-7 outside hitter from Sofia, Bulgaria. As a multi-sport athlete in volleyball, tennis and soccer, Konstantinov has built an impressive resume in his primary sport competing in the nation's top professional men's league as a four-time youth champion in Bulgaria, a Balkan champion and a Vice-European champion. He served as vice captain for Bulgaria's U19 national team and earned five consecutive top three finishes, including four championship titles. Konstantinov comes from an athletic family with his uncle a former Bulgarian national team captain, both of his grandparents Olympians and his father a longtime volleyball player.
Davis on Konstantinov: "Nicola brings a rare combination of size, power and international experience that will elevate our training environment from day one. He's competed against some of the best players in Europe and carries himself with a professional approach to the game. His versatility and competitive drive make him a tremendous fit for our program and our culture."
Luka Lojic | Opposite | Bar, Montenegro | Niko Rolovic / Slobodan Škerovic
One of Montenegro's top young volleyball prospects, Lojic, who plays for OK Budućnost Volleyball Club and competes in the nation's top professional men's league, was named the nation's Best-Up-and-Coming Player of 2024 and has earned multiple medals across domestic and international competitions. The 6-foot-6 opposite's accolades include MVP honors at both the Montenegro Youth Tournament and the Montenegro Super Cup, where he helped his team capture gold in 2024 and 2025, respectively. Lojic plans to major in business management at Loyola.
Davis on Lojic: "Luka brings international experience and an elite skill set to our program. He's a physical, dynamic scorer with the ability to impact the game in multiple ways. His maturity, versatility and drive to compete at the highest level make him an exciting addition to our opposite position and a perfect fit for the Rambler standard."
Caden Van Buren | Outside Hitter | Cross Plains, Wis. | Middleton
Out of Middleton, Wis., Caden Van Buren is four-year varsity letterman in both volleyball and swimming. The dynamic 6-foot-3 outside hitter capped his standout high school career as the 2025 Wisconsin State Player of the Year after leading Middleton to a state championship this fall. He hit .483 in his senior season and across his high school career Van Buren tallied 1,156 kills, 209 service aces – registering 94 in 2025 – 209 blocks, 597 digs and a 2.32 passer rating. Van Buren was named the back-to-back Big 8 Conference Player of the Year and is a two-time honoree on the All-State and All-Conference First Teams. He is the younger brother of Parker Van Buren, one of the program's most decorated Ramblers both athletically and academically.
Davis on Van Buren: "Caden is an explosive, dynamic athlete who can impact the game in every way. He plays with passion, confidence, and a team-first mindset that aligns perfectly with what we value at Loyola. Continuing the Van Buren legacy here is special — and we know Caden is ready to carve out his own path and make an immediate impact in our gym."
Thomas Vesty | Setter | Christchurch, New Zealand | Burnside
Thomas Vesty, a 6-foot-4 setter, is a standout with the SVC Silverbacks, earning the Canterbury Champs MVP award in 2022, and a starter for the New Zealand National Team. Vesty is also a two-time IPC MVP (2022, 2023). He is a multi-sport athlete who also competed in cricket and basketball. The Kiwi comes from a volleyball family with both of his parents having played for New Zealand's National Team and his older sister currently playing at Iowa.
Davis on Vesty: "Thomas is a highly skilled setter with exceptional court vision and leadership presence. He runs an offense with poise and creativity well beyond his years. His international experience and high volleyball IQ will make an immediate impact in our gym and elevate everyone around him."
