Follow
A rematch of the 2015 NCAA Tournament semifinals will ring in the new college men’s volleyball season.
Loyola as part of unveiling its 2022 schedule announced it will play a non-conference home match against UC Irvine on New Year’s Day in the nation’s first match of the season.
The Ramblers swept the Anteaters six years ago in the NCAA Tournament semifinals en route to winning back-to-back national championships. The two teams have met four times since that NCAA Tournament meeting with UC Irvine winning the last three matches, including the most recent meeting in 2020.
Loyola finished last season in the top 10 of the national coaches poll and national media poll and advanced to the MIVA Tournament finals.
Setter Garrett Zolg highlights the starters returning for the Ramblers. Zolg returned to the court after missing the 2020 season because of an injury and was in the nation’s top 10 with a 10.18 assists per game average while earning First-Team All-MIVA honors.
UC Irvine ended the 2021 season at No. 15 in the national coaches poll and reached the Big West Tournament quarterfinals. The team also returns three players who were named to the Big West All-Freshman Team.
This season opener will be the first of four non-conference matches for Loyola against Big West opponents.
Loyola will travel to play a two-match series versus the defending NCAA champions Hawai’i on Jan. 5-7. In addition, Loyola will face Long Beach State on Jan. 22 to conclude a four-match homestand.
Loyola 22 regular season schedule
Jan. 1 vs. UC Irvine
Jan. 5 at Hawai’i
Jan. 7 at Hawai’i
Jan. 14 vs. Saint Francis
Jan. 15 vs. NJIT
Jan. 21 vs. Belmont Abbey
Jan. 22 vs. Long Beach State
Jan. 28 at Lincoln Memorial
Jan. 29 at King
Feb. 4 vs. Grand Canyon
Feb. 5 vs. Central State
Feb. 10 vs. Quincy
Feb. 12 vs. Lindenwood
Feb. 17 at Ohio State
Feb. 19 at Ball State
Feb. 24 at McKendree
Feb. 26 vs. Lewis
March 4 vs. Purdue Fort Wayne
March 5 vs. Emmanuel
March 13 vs. Daemen
March 19 at Purdue Fort Wayne
March 24 vs. McKendree
March 26 at Lewis
March 31 at Lindenwood
April 2 at Quincy
April 7 vs. Ball State
April 9 vs. Ohio State