DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - Friday night marks the beginning of a new era in Loras College Athletics history as the men's volleyball program hosts Lindenwood-Belleville in their first game in program history. Led by their head coach, Jeremy Thornburg, the Duhawks are ready to create their legacy and build the foundation at Loras College.

ABOUT LINDENWOOD-BELLEVILLE ...
The Lynx travel to the Athletic & Wellness Center in search of their first varsity win in program history. Inconsistency on the attack plagued the Lynx in their innaugural season, leaving them winless.

History will be made one way or another with one team getting the first win in their program's history. In order for the Duhawks to come away with the win, they will have to contain sophomore middle Samuel Pruett. Pruett led the Lynx a season ago with a .167 kill percentage on his way to tallying 106 kills. While Pruett poses a threat on the attack, Loras will have to adjust to get around his stout defense. Pruett's 55 total blocks placed atop the team rankings last spring.

FOLLOW THE DUHAWKS THIS SEASON …
Be sure to keep tabs on everything Loras College Men's Volleyball by following the team on Twitter (@LorasMensVB and @LorasAthletics) over the course of their inaugural season. In game updates, post-game infographics, game recaps, and everyday updates can be found through their Twitter. #WelcomeMVB is the official hashtag of Friday'season opener as Loras Athletics welcomes the official start of it's 23rd intercollegiate athletic program.

LORAS SET TO COMPETE IN THE MCVL …
Shortly after the announcement that men's volleyball would become the 23rd sport offered at Loras College, chatter of a men's volleyball conference intensified. A few months later, the Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League was formed. With teams spread out across the midwest, the Duhawks are one of eight members in the conference's first year. An announcement earlier this fall stated the league would expand to 14 teams as early as next year with addition of several schools. With the league topping double-digits, next season will feature two division. This season the Duhawks will tack on the miles, playing games in five different states.

DUHAWK DEBUT SET FOR ATHLETIC & WELLNESS CENTER ...
The Duhawks will break ground on the program's first match in the friendly comforts of home on Friday when they welcome Lindenwood-Belleville of the NAIA to the Athletic & Wellness Center. The meeting marks the first of two between the team's this season and features two programs hungry for their first win. The environment should be electric for the home opener with the buzz around campus at an all-time high. Join Duhawk Nation in cheering on Loras College Men's Volleyball in their program opener!

WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL DUO ON THE CALL …
After Loras Men's Volleyball Coach Jeremy Thornburg spent most of the fall on air calling the Loras Women's Volleyball games, sophomore Tara Blake and junior Harris Hunter are eager to return the favor. The charasmatic duo will be on the call for the first men's volleyball game in Loras history. Viewers unable to attend Friday's historic match will be able to tune into the knowledgable commentary of Blake and Hunter in their on-air debuts.

THORNBURG EAGER FOR OPPORTUNITY AT HELM …
Thornburg is a graduate of Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW) in Fort Wayne, Ind. As an undergraduate student and following his studies at IPFW, Thornburg served as a student assistant and team manager under American Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame head coach Arnie Ball. In 2006 and 2007, the IPFW Mastodons reached the Final Four, finishing as national runners-up in 2007.
 
"I am extremely humbled, honored, and excited to be named the first Head Men's Volleyball coach of Loras College," Thornburg said. "From the first moment I spoke with Bob [Quinn], I knew that Loras College was a special place and somewhere that I wanted to be."

CRYSTAL CLEAR HIGH-DEFINITION …
Thanks in large part to a generous donation, the Duhawk Broadcast Network brings you live streaming of all home events in high-definition. Fans can catch the action at duhawks.com/live for all home matches and find information for away matches at duhawks.com.