Five things to know before Ball State faces Loyola.
1. Ball State’s Marcin Niemczewski’s performance could go a long way in effecting the outcome of Thursday’s match. The sophomore outside attacker leads the MIVA in kills per set with 3.74 and the offense has run through him throughout most of the season.
2. Loyola will counter Niemczewski with a few of its own offensive threats. Not only does Joseph Smalzer serve well, he and Thomas Jaeschke are fourth and fifth in the MIVA in kills per set with 3.47 and 3.39. The duo has helped lead Loyola to being the team with the second highest kills per set the conference.
3. Ball State’s middle blockers will play a key role in neutralizing the Loyola offense. Ball State’s senior outside attacker Larry Wrather said he thinks senior middle attacker Kevin Owens and senior middle attacker Matt Leske have the ability to wreak havoc. The pair has led Ball State to the top of the MIVA with 3.67 team blocks per set.
4. Loyola brings strong blocking of its own. Nicholas Olson, a 6-foot-10 middle blocker, leads the MIVA in individual blocks per set at 1.49. Ball State will have to back the powerful Olson off the net in order for Niemczewski and Wrather to have success attacking.
5. These two teams are the only teams in the MIVA who are undefeated in conference play and whichever team wins will take over possession of first place for the time. Home court advantage has been crucial in the past. Ball State knocked off Loyola 3-1 last season at Worthen Arena, while Loyola won both of the matches in Chicago.
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