NCAA Tournament Final
May 8, 2015 - 8:30 p.m.
Maples Pavilion, Stanford, Calif.
For the fourth time this season and for all the marbles, Loyola will play Lewis University tonight in the championship game of the NCAA men's volleyball tournament. The Flyers have compiled a 27-3 record on the season, winning the MIVA regular season title and earning the top seed in the NCAA Tournament. Loyola had two regular season losses to the Flyers, one at home and one in Romeoville, both by a 3-1 score. But just eight days ago, the Ramblers-- buoyed by the addition to the starting lineup of 6'11" freshman Ricky Gevis-- beat the Flyers 3-1 at Lewis to win the MIVA Tournament. Dan Friend's Flyers have had strong and confident play from All Americans Geoff Powell, Eric Fitterer, Bobby Walsh, and Greg Petty. The four seniors and a junior have great experience and know each other so well that they are able to weather challenges, overcome adversity and withstand more physical or athletic teams-- racking up a combined 6-1 record over the EIVA, MIVA, and MPSF champions. Lewis received a bye in the first round of the NCAA tournament and beat Penn State 3-1 on Thursday (their third win over PSU this season) to reach the final.
Loyola, now starting three freshmen in OPP Gevis, 6'10" MH Jeff Jendryk, and libero Jake Selsky, may have finally found an effective formula that seemed to elude them often in the early going of the season-- despite their gaudy 27-2 record. The Ramblers seemed to struggle with Conference Carolinas champion Pfeiffer in the early going of their first NCAA match, but powered back from a 24-19 deficit in set two to sweep. The adversity and experience seemed to help the freshmen, who were confident and efficient in Loyola's 3-0 semifinal defeat of UC Irvine. National Player of the Year Thomas Jaeschke has emerged as a vocal leader and motivator for the Ramblers on the court, especially so in the NCAA tournament.
The all-MIVA NCAA final marks the first time an MPSF team has failed to reach the championship game in the 46 years of the men's volleyball tournament. Defending champion Loyola is making their third consecutive NCAA appearance, compiling a 4-1 record. Lewis is making their third appearance in the last four years, and is the first D-II team to receive a #1 seed.
Loyola match notes:
http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/loy ... 508aaa.pdfLewis match notes:
http://www.lewisflyers.com/documents/20 ... df?id=3510Television: ESPNU (available on cable packages and streaming with subscription)
Gametracker:
http://www.loyolaramblers.com/gametrack ... rtschool=&
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