The MIVA had its top two teams a week ago play it out for the top spot as now just Loyola Chicago sits with one loss. Three teams are right on their heels with two though, as the entire top half of the league – and possibly even Fort Wayne in fifth – is still very involved in the league title race. That should make for an interesting finish as we sit at, above or slightly below the half way point for each team in MIVA action.
With new story-lines emerging and a new season of sorts in league play commencing, VolleyMob will be giving conference updates. Below is analysis as well as the weekly MIVA table, awards, matches of the week and power rankings:
MIVA TABLE:
| TEAM | CONF. | OVERALL |
| #4 Loyola Chicago | 6-1 | 15-3 |
| #9 Ohio State | 6-2 | 13-4 |
| #8 Lewis | 5-2 | 13-5 |
| #11 Ball State | 4-2 | 10-7 |
| #17 Fort Wayne | 3-3 | 13-4 |
| McKendree | 3-5 | 6-10 |
| Lindenwood | 1-6 | 6-9 |
| Quincy | 0-7 | 9-11 |
WEEKLY HONORS:
MATCHES OF THE WEEK:
- Mar. 8: #11 Ball State at #3 UC Irvine
- Mar. 8: #8 Lewis at #2 Hawaii
- Mar. 9: #8 Lewis vs. #5 BYU
- Mar. 10: #4 Loyola Chicago at #6 Pepperdine
- Mar. 10: #11 Ball State at #10 UC Santa Barbara
VOLLEYMOB MIVA POWER RANKINGS:
- Loyola Chicago
- Lewis
- Ohio State
- Ball State
- Fort Wayne
- McKendree
- Lindenwood
- Quincy
SEIZING THE TOP SPOT
- #4 Loyola Chicago Ramblers
The Ramblers won their contest with Lewis – and in sweep fashion as well – to move a first-place tie to a throne all to their own. They still have a second go on the road with Ohio State and Lewis to come, as well as a home affair with Ball State which should make for some drama down the stretch. As for now though, they own the top spot and look to be a legit national title contender, which they can create more conversation about with a big week ahead in non-conference matches.
THE TWO-LOSS BRIGADE
- #8 Lewis, #9 Ohio State, #11 Ball State
All three of these teams have two losses in MIVA play, each through their own path. A lot of it has involved carnage among each other, as Lewis lost to Ball State and Loyola, Ohio State lost to Lewis and Loyola and Ball State lost to Ohio State (and McKendree) yet beat Lewis and Loyola. The point is that all of the top four, including these three with two losses, have shown the ability to beat each other, meaning the quartet are all legit MIVA title contenders. It also means there should be more movement as the league finishes the season off.
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