LEADING OFF
No. 7 Loyola Chicago opens its 2026 season with a two-match series at No. 2 Hawai'i on Thursday, Jan. 8 and Friday, Jan. 9. First serve for both matches is set for 11 p.m. CT.
QUICK HITS
- Loyola headlines the MIVA conference in the preseason poll; Ryan McElligott, Daniel Fabikovic and Aleksander Sosa tabbed Preseason All-MIVA. The Ramblers were picked seventh in the AVCA Preseason Poll.
- McElligott finished 2025 as both the MIVA and NCAA assists leader, averaging 10.9 per set.
- The Ramblers returned 15 student-athletes and welcomed five new faces, including three true freshmen and two transfers.
- Assistant coach Dalton Solbrig lettered four years for the Rainbow Warriors from 2016-19. He was a member of two NCAA Tournament teams, including the national runner-up squad in 2019.
- Head coach Shane Davis enters his 14th season at Loyola, sporting a 289-92 (.759) career record. In his first season back, Davis led the Ramblers to a 25-4 ledger, their fourth MIVA Tournament title and fourth NCAA Tournament berth.
- 2026 marks the 30th anniversary of Loyola's men's volleyball program, which is home to two of the university's three NCAA national championship titles.
SCOUTING REPORT
Hawai'i kicked off its season with a two-match series sweep of NJIT (Jan. 2, Jan. 4), in which sophomore opposite Kristian Titriyski combined for 23 kills on .438 hitting. The 6-foot-8 Bulgarian national added five service aces against NJIT. As a team, the Rainbow Warriors hit .517 in both matches. Junior setter Tread Rosenthal led each match in assists, recording 26 in the first and 30 in the rematch. He also contributed 11 total blocks across the series.
Head coach Charlie Wade entered his 17th season at the helm of the program and boasts a 321-131 career record at Hawai'i. Last season, he led the Rainbow Warriors to their fourth overall Big West Tournament title and 10th NCAA Tournament appearance.
SERIES HISTORY
The Rainbow Warriors lead the all-time series, 13-3, with the Ramblers and are 12-3 at home against the MIVA opponent. In their last meeting, Loyola left Hawai'i 1-1 after falling 3-0 in match one then taking the second in a five-set thriller. This year's two-match series marks Davis' 11th overall matchup against Hawai'i, and his fifth as head coach.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
Stream both matches on ESPN+. Follow men's volleyball on Instagram and X @RamblersMVB for in-game updates.
