Follow
One of the best NAIA programs will get its shot against a top-five nationally ranked NCAA Division I-II men’s volleyball team.
Campbellsville as part of recently unveiling its 2021 schedule announced it will play a non-conference road match against Lewis on Jan. 20.
The Tigers were ranked No. 1in the NAIA nationally coaches poll for four weeks during the 2020 season. The team also was on an 11-match winning streak and at No. 2 in the rankings when the season was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Among the starters returning for Campbellsville includes two All-American Honorable Mentions and All-American libero John Montalvo.
The defending MIVA champions Lewis ended last season on an eight-match winning streak at No. 5 in both the national coaches poll and national media poll.
Both of the Flyers who earned First-Team All-American will return for the 2021 season. Outside attacker Ryan Coenen, the MIVA Player of the Year, was in the nation’s top 15 averaging 4.00 kills per game, while middle attacker Tyler Mitchem was fifth in the country with a .505 attack percentage.
Lewis has not scheduled a non-conference match against a NAIA school since 2014 when it swept Missouri Baptist.
This will be one of two matches versus NCAA Division I-II teams for Campbellsville in 2021. Campbellsville will have a home match against Tusculum on Jan. 16 — four days before facing Lewis.