DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - After going winless in their first five matches, Loras returns to the comforts of home for their Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League opener against Dominican.
ABOUT DOMINICAN ...In just their second home game in program history, the Duhawks welcome Dominican University to town for the MCVL opener. After starting the season amongst the top of the field in Division III, Dominican has fallen as a result of their 0-3 start. Losses to St. Xavier and Cardinal Stritch preceded a 3-1 loss to top-ranked Juniata. Dominican is led by Zachery Sinn who is averaging 2.77 kills per set, equaling a .127 hitting percentage. The Stars run a 5-1 with Alex Coyne assuming the setting duties. The Naperville, Illinois product is averaging 9.92 assists per set. Across the board, Dominican hasn't been far off from their opponents in the statiscal categories. The biggest difference is their opponents are hitting .221 compared to their .192.
FIRST TASTE OF MCVL ACTION …In its inaugural season, the Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League kicks off their first weekend of league play. Sporting three teams ranked in the AVCA National Poll, the MCVL has began the 2015 on a solid note. Friday night, No. 13 MSOE was a 3-1 winner over Fontbonne, while No. 14 Mount St. Joseph handed Lakeland an identical 3-1 decision over Lakeland, who was receiving votes in this week's poll.
MISSED OPPORTUNITIES …Through their first five matches, the Duhawks have totaled 534 attacks, almost 100 fewer than their opponents. Of those 534 attacks, however, Loras has finished 170 for kills while committing 102 errors. For a young team, the number of attacks is a positive sign, but they'll want to shoot for a higher attack percentage than what they're currently at (.127).
LEARNING ALONG THE WAY …The first five games of their program's history have come and gone without a win, but the Duhawks have taken plenty from their first month as a team to grow. Additionally, players have begun to step up and find their way in the system, notably freshman
Kyle Zacok. Against Culver-Stockton, Zacok led the team with six kills and 2.5 blocks.
GROWING AS A TEAM …Coming from many different backgrounds and styles of volleyball, this year's team has worked feverishly through the first month of the season to come to a level ground where they can all compete on the same page. Saturday's contest against Dominican should be a good indicator of the strides that the team has made.
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.
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 THE 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."
