For the last 20 years, Loyola and Lewis University have been bitter rivals in men’s volleyball. This year, the local rivalry’s heating up with both teams sitting atop the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) standings with six matches remaining.
The Ramblers and Flyers faced off twice this season, and Lewis came out on top both times. They’ve played 60 times since 1996, and Loyola has a 35- 25 advantage in the series.
But the matches began to draw national attention in 2015, when Loyola defeated the Flyers in the MIVA championship and the NCAA national championship. Loyola sophomore outside hitter Devin Joslyn said matches against Lewis are more intense due to the talent that comes out of both schools.