SCOUTING THE SABRES
The Marian Sabres men's volleyball program is in its' inaugural season in 2016, but has proven itself as a competitor right away. The Sabres come into the weekend with a 6-6 overall record and 3-2 mark in the MCVL. Pin hitter Jon Smallpage leads the attack for head coach Tyler Frings, as his 156 kills and 3.55 kills per set average both rank fifth overall in the conference. Defensively, libero Cullen Liberski has totaled 129 digs in 2016, for an average of 2.93 digs per set, which ranks third in the MCVL. As a team, Marian's 11.33 digs per set average in conference play ranks third of the fourteen conference teams.

ALL-TIME VS LAKELAND
Loras is 0-4 against Lakeland in the all-time series and will play host to the Muskies for the third time in this matchup.  

LAST TIME VS LAKELAND
In their last meeting with the Muskies, the Duhawks dropped a 3-2 decision at home during the Loras College Invitational. In a back-and-forth contest, the Duhawks were victorious in sets one and four, but were ultimately bested in the deciding fifth set. Freshman Greg Kinney paced the Loras' effort registering a season-high 15 kills and 14 digs in the match.  Sophomores Shayne Marquez and Danny Krasich combined for 49 assists as the Duhawks totaled 54 kills in the five sets.

SCOUTING THE MUSKIES
Currently holding an 11-5 overall mark and 4-1 conference record, Lakeland is once again one of the top teams in the MCVL. The Muskies currently rank first in the conference in digs per set with 13.00 in conference play.  Offensively, Matt Stolz and Addison Mertler anchor the Lakeland attack to make up one of the best setter-hitter combinations in the MCVL. Both rank fourth in the conference in their main statistical categories with Stolz totaling 172 kills and Mertler posting 495 assists in 2016.

GALVAN AND ROSS APPROACHING CENTURY MARK
Freshman Ryan Galvan and sophomore Dylan Ross have been two major factors in the Duhawks' success this season. These two Chicago-area natives have been filling up the stat sheet, specifically in the kills and blocks departments. This season, Galvan has 92 kills and 20 blocks while Ross has totaled 96 kills and 40 blocks.

FORCE AT THE NET
Loras ranks fourth in the MCVL in blocks on the season with 102 team blocks. The Duhawks are getting contributions from a variety of players in the blocking category, but none more than sophomore Jimmy Combs. The Penfield, N.Y. native is leading Loras in blocking with 43 total blocks on the season. In his freshman campaign, Combs totaled 64 blocks in 23 matches. With exactly half of the regular season left, Combs is well on pace to exceed last season's total in blocks.

KINNEY REACHES 100-KILL MARK
Freshman Greg Kinney has made the adjustment to collegiate volleyball a quick and efficient process in his first season with the Duhawks. The Las Vegas, Nev. native has reached 101 kills in 13 matches. On two occasions, Kinney has reached double-digits in kills, first against Lakeland on Jan. 29 and later in Loras' win against Calumet-St. Joseph on Jan. 30. Kinney leads the team in kills, averaging 2.24 kills per set, and is second in digs, averaging 1.78 digs per set.

SECOND CHANCE SUCCESS
In 2016, the Duhawks have faced North Central, Benedictine, Illinois Tech and Lakeland on multiple occasions. At this point in the season, Loras holds a 2-2 record against these teams in their second meeting. After being swept 3-0 in their first meeting, the Duhawks took the Muskies to five sets on January 29. Facing Lakeland for a third time this Saturday, Loras aims to turn the tides and earn their first victory over the Muskies in program history.