ALL-TIME RECORD VERSUS BENEDICTINE
The Duhawks are 1-3 all-time in meetings with the Eagles. After dropping all three matches in 2015, Loras won its first meeting of 2016 against Benedictine on Jan. 24 in Lisle, Ill.

LAST TIME AGAINST BENEDICTINE
After a tough five set defeat to North Central, the Duhawks matched up with the Eagles in their first contest of 2016. Although this matchup was not an official conference game, Loras came into the match very familiar with this MCVL-foe. Benedictine, who was without its starting setter Markus Riemer, was out of sorts for much of the match and the Duhawks were able to capitalize and take the match in three sets (25-15,25-22,25-22). The balanced Loras offense was on full display as freshman Ryan Galvan, Greg Kinney and Jake Chudzik along with sophomore Dylan Ross all registered at least five kills in the match. Jimmy Combs and Ross led the way for the Duhawks defensively with 15 combined blocks in just three sets.

SCOUTING THE EAGLES
Coming into the weekend with a 5-4 record, the Eagles are a much improved team in their second year under Head Coach Dan Buehring. Following a 2-1 weekend at the Loras Invitational, Benedictine is already approaching last year's win total of seven early on in 2016. Some of the standout performers for the Eagles so far in 2016 have been sophomore Sterling Glover and freshman Kyle VanStedum. Glover, an outside hitter, has amassed 93 kills thus far, which rank him second in the MCVL, while VanStedum has 55 kills and a .422 attacking percentage out of the middle. Defensively, sophomore libero Ian Thompson anchors the Eagle backline leading the conference in digs (99) and digs per set (3.30).

ALL-TIME RECORD VERSUS DOMINICAN
Loras was swept 3-0 in both meetings in 2015 and is 0-2 all-time against the Stars.

LAST TIME AGAINST DOMINICAN
The Duhawks traveled to River Forest, Ill. in their last meeting with Dominican University, which occurred late in the 2015 campaign. On that night, Loras could not get into any type of offensive rhythm and were bested by the Stars in straight sets (25-12,25-16,25-9). For Dominican, their offense was in impressive form as they finished the match hitting at a .506 clip. Leading the way for the Duhawks were Dylan Ross, who totaled a season-high eight kills, and Shayne Marquez, who added 15 assists.  

SCOUTING THE STARS
Dominican has been ranked in the top-15 of the AVCA NCAA Coaches' Division III poll for much of the past two seasons, coming into this matchup ranked #12 in the nation. So far in 2016, the Stars have been led by a cast of familiar characters with returners Alex Coyne, Luke Spicer and Mason Solbrig pacing their attack. Spicer and Solbrig have totaled 61 and 32 kills respectively to lead Dominican, most of which have come off the hands of Coyne, an all-conference setter in 2015. In what will surely be their most challenging game so far in 2016, the Stars will take on #4 UC-Santa Cruz on Friday at home before welcoming Loras to Igini Sports Forum. Depending on that result, Dominican (3-2, 0-1) could come into Saturday's match against the Duhawks on a three-game losing streak after being defeated in a five-set thriller by North Central on Tuesday in their first MCVL match of 2016.

STELLAR SOPHOMORES
Sophomores Jimmy Combs and Dylan Ross have combined to make up the best statistical blocking duo in the MCVL so far in 2016. The two have contributed 64 of Loras' 76 total blocks this season and they look to continue this strong play going forward. Combs comes into this weekend averaging 1.17 blocks per set while Ross has an average of 0.91 blocks per set. These impressive numbers have garnered much attention as the two both rank in the top-5 individually in the MCVL. Combs leads the conference with 35 blocks and Ross is tied for third with 29 blocks.

CLOSING OUT OPPONENTS
The 2016 Loras men's volleyball team has already made huge strides from last season. They've surpassed their win total from last year by two through just nine matches and will likely continue to keep building on this improvement. Going forward, the Duhawks are going to need to be better at closing out opponents when given the opportunity. In matches that have gone past three sets, Loras has been inconsistent in winning sets four and five, going 3-4 in those sets.

POCKET ACES
The Duhawks come in to the weekend riding a two game win streak thanks to many factors, but the play of freshman Alfredo Lopez at the service line has been a major one. The Naranjito, Puerto Rico native has totaled 10 of his 13 aces in the Duhawks' past two wins, helping him to second on the team in service aces behind sophomore Dylan Ross. Lopez had seven service aces in Loras' win versus Illinois Tech, all of which were recorded in the first set. The aggressive serving style of Lopez will help to make Loras a very threatening team as they head into MCVL play.

DUHAWKS BEST 2015 WIN TOTAL
Last weekend the Duhawks played host at the 2016 Loras Invitational, which saw a total of 10 teams participate. Loras won three of four matches, and in turn bested their win total of three from last season. With wins over Briar Cliff, Illinois Institute of Technology, and Calumet College, the Duhawks moved to 5-4 on the young season. Last year the Duhawks mustered up just three wins, but have found themselves on the correct side of the win-loss column this season. With no upperclassmen on their roster, Loras will continue to rise up the ranks in the coming years.