Ball State University
Loyola University Chicago
Men's Volleyball Hosts Loyola Chicago This Weekend In MIVA Action
March 25, 2021 | Men's Volleyball
The Cardinals will pay tribute to their seniors and Joel Walton prior to Saturday's contest
Ball State (10-4, 7-3Â MIVA) vs. Loyola Chicago (11-3, 7-3 MIVA)
Muncie, Ind. | Worthen Arena | 7 p.m. ET both matches
Game Notes: Ball State | Loyola Chicago
GAMES 15Â & 16
Live Stats | Watch | SL Digital
BACK HOME AGAIN IN INDIANA: It's been a long time since the Caridnals have played at home, in fact it will be just one day shy of a month when Ball State returns to Worthen Arena on Friday, March 26 when it hosts Loyola Chicago in Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) action this weekend. The two-match series agains the Wolves will be the last regular season home games for the Cardinals with both matches beginning at 7 p.m. ET on Friday and Saturday.Â
PAYING TRIBUTE: The Cardinals will pay tribute after Saturday's match to its four current seniors and two seniors from last year's squad who Ball State was unable to give a proper farewell to due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. The four current seniors are Ben Chinnici, Ryan Dorgan, Nick LaVanchy and Quinn Isaacson. The two former players that will be in attendance are Matt Szews and Nate Amos. Along with the senior good-byes, it will also be the last regular season games in Worthen Arena for long time head coach Joel Walton as he will be retiring from the helm of the Cardinals at the conclusion of the 2021 season.
SCOUTING LOYOLA CHICAGO: The Wolves come to Muncie with an 11-3 over record and 7-3 ledger in MIVA aciton. Like the Cardinals, Loyola Chicago is currently riding a three-match win streak into Worthen Arena this weekend. The Wolves have recently defeated Purdue Fort Wayne (3-1) and then swept McKendree by a score of 3-0 and 3-1. Loyola Chicago's Garrent Zolg was recently selected as the MIVA Defensive Player of the Week after putting up 3.43 digs per set, along with dishing out 12.00 assists while adding 0.86 kills and 0.57 aces per set. He registered a .500 attack percentage, against then-No. 8 McKendree last week.
WHAT'S NEXT: The Cardinals return close out their 2021 MIVA regular season on the road at McKendree on April 2 at 7:30 p.m. ET and then on April 3 at 7 p.m. ET. Ball State and McKendree did not meet last year due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. The Cardinals last meeting against the Bearcats was on April 13, 2019 in the MIVA quarterfinals, resulting in a five set loss for Ball State. Ball State leads the series with McKendree by a count of 9-5.
THE END OF AN ERA:Â One of the winningest coaches in NCAA men's volleyball history will lead Ball State's program for one more season. Head coach Joel Walton announced he will retire following the completion of the 2021 season. A two-time Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) Coach of the Year, Walton enters his 23rd and final season at the helm of the Cardinals ranked fourth among active NCAA men's volleyball head coaches (Divisions I, II or III) with 410 career wins, owning an overall record of 410-234 (.637).
MIVA TOURNAMENT TIME:Â The MIVA Tournament will begin a week earlier than anticipated with the quarterfinals beginning on April 10, the semifinals on April 17 and the championship match on April 24. The format will be that all eight teams qualify. Higher seed of each matchup will host. So, the top four seeds should expect to host in the first round, and the higher remaining seeds should plan on hosting forward.
