April 18, 2007

CHICAGO - Loyola University Chicago men's volleyball is peaking at the right time, winning five consecutive matches, including three straight against nationally-ranked opponents, right before its MIVA Tournament Quarterfinal match against Quincy at 7 p.m. on Friday in Alumni Gym.

The Ramblers are 54-8 at home under fourth-year head coach Shane Davis and 12-11 all-time in MIVA Tournament action. Davis is 3-3 all-time in the tournament, advancing to at least the semifinal-round match in each of his first three seasons.

Loyola has won the last 13 meetings against Quincy and leads the all-time series, 22-3, in convincing fashion, not dropping a game in the last seven matches. The only postseason meeting between the schools was on April 21, 2001 with Loyola earning a 3-1 win.

Postseason award candidates James Grunst and Brian Guntli lead the Ramblers' charge for the program's first MIVA Tournament Championship and first-ever appearance in the national tournament.

Grunst was named the Sports Imports/AVCA and MIVA Player of the Week on April 2 and leads the country with a school-record .559 hitting percentage. Grunst tied his career-high with six service aces in Loyola's 3-0 win over No. 7 Penn State on Saturday.

Setter Brian Guntli is second on the school's all-time list with 5,163 assists, just 174 shy of Davis' school record. His 1,319 assists this season is the sixth-highest season total in school history and lands just 12 short of taking fifth place.

Peter Coley leads the Quincy attack with 3.06 kills per game followed by 2.00 kills per game from John Markendorf. Eric Wooldridge sets up the Hawk attack with 9.20 assists per game while Mike Contee patrols the back row with 2.11 digs per game. Ed Ryan is the leading blocker at the net at 0.90 blocks per game.

Tickets to the match cost $5 for adults and $1 for children 12 and under. All Loyola University students presenting a valid ID will be admitted free.

The winner of Friday's match advances to the MIVA Tournament semifinals to play the winner of Saturday's match between IPFW and Mercyhurst at 4 p.m. in Columbus, Ohio.