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Queens will travel halfway across the country in the opening weeks of the season to play two likely nationally ranked teams.
The NCAA Division I-II independent men’s volleyball program as part of unveiling its 2021 schedule Wednesday announced it will play road matches against Lewis on Jan. 22 and Loyola on Jan. 23.
The Royals return six starters, including Off the Block/Frisco Mo All-Independent Team outside attacker Tristan Santoyo who was in the nation’s top 20 with a 3.67 kills per game average last season. Queens was 6-9 at the time the 2020 season was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
This will be the first time in its program history that Queens will play Lewis and Loyola.
Lewis finished the shortened 2020 season at No. 5 in both the national coaches poll and national media poll. The defending MIVA champions return All-American outside attacker Ryan Coenen and All-American middle attacker Tyler Mitchem.
Loyola is slated to have All-MIVA setter Garrett Zolg back on the court for the 2021 season. Zolg missed the entire 2020 season as the Ramblers dropped to 7-11 and fifth place in the MIVA last season.
The Midwest trip will be one of three times the entire season that Queens leaves its home state of North Carolina.
The team will have a three-match Teneesse road trip against Tusclum, Lincoln Memorial and King in March. It also will travel to South Carolina to play Limestone in its regular season finale.
Queens will remain on-campus for the postseason as it will play host to the IVA Championships Tournament.
Queens 2021 schedule
Jan. 15 vs. Charleston
Jan. 16 vs. Saint Francis
Jan. 22 at Lewis
Jan. 23 at Loyola
Jan. 28 vs. Emmanuel
Jan. 29 at Mount Olive
Feb. 4 vs. Limestone
Feb. 6 vs. King
Feb. 10 at Belmont Abbey
Feb. 12 vs. Alderson Broaddu
Feb. 17 at Barton
Feb. 20 at Lees-McRae
Feb. 26 vs. Lincoln Memorial
Feb. 27 vs. Tusculum
March 4 vs. Belmont Abbey
March 5 at North Greenville
March 10 vs. Barton
March 18 vs. Mount Olive
March 26 at Tusculum
March 27 at Lincoln Memorial
March 31 at King
April 8 vs. Lees-McRae
April 9 at Limestone
April 16-17 IVA Championships Tournament