Ohio State Looks to Make Last Stand in Conference Title Defense; MIVA Update (Mar. 28)

Loyola Chicago has continued to fend off challenger after challenger, as now the MIVA race seemingly comes down to the Ramblers and the Ohio State Buckeyes. Sure enough, those two meet this week in what could be the last opportunity for someone to unseat Loyola while the Ramblers are coming close to wrapping up the regular season crown.

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:

WEEKLY HONORS:

• VolleyMob Player of the Week & HM POTW
• MIVA Weekly Awards

MATCHES OF THE WEEK:

• Mar. 29: #5 Loyola Chicago at #8 Ohio State
• Mar. 29: #9 Lewis at #18 McKendree
• Mar. 30: Lindenwood at #13 Ball State
• Mar. 31: #9 Lewis at #8 Ohio State
• Mar. 31: #5 Loyola Chicago at #18 McKendree

VOLLEYMOB MIVA POWER RANKINGS:

1. Loyola Chicago
2. Ohio State
3. Lewis
4. Ball State
5. Fort Wayne
6. McKendree
7. Lindenwood
8. Quincy

ONE FINAL HURDLE

• #5 Loyola Chicago Ramblers

Remaining regular season schedule:

• at #8 Ohio State (8-2)
• at #18 McKendree (5-5)
• at Lindenwood (1-8)
• at Quincy (0-9)

Officially Loyola Chicago will need to win more than just their next game to clinch a share or an outright MIVA regular season title, but if the Ramblers can win their next game at Ohio State they’d be sporting a two-match (or more) lead on everyone else with just three to go. Not to mention it’s their final match against a team truly in contention with them at the top. Sure enough in doing so, they need to down the back-to-back MIVA champions on the road, as the top two offenses in the league square off in a rematch of what was a five-set match the first go-around.

DEFEND THE CROWN

• #8 Ohio State Buckeyes

Remaining regular season schedule:

• vs. #5 Loyola Chicago (9-1)
• vs. #9 Lewis (7-3)
• at #14 Fort Wayne (3-7)
• at #13 Ball State (6-4)

The final four matches for Ohio State is an absolute gauntlet, featuring all ranked teams with two coming on the road. Their regular season MIVA title defense therefore won’t come easily, as even a win over Loyola Chicago won’t guarantee they win the rest. That said, all paths in garnering another regular season crown starts with the Buckeyes downing the Ramblers. Both offenses are clicking, and while Loyola is the better blocking team, Ohio State owns the stronger serve. The big key though will be serve reception for both sides. Obviously that comes for the Ramblers because of the Buckeyes ability to serve aggressively, but really all season long Ohio State’s biggest weakness has been serve reception. That was apparent in losing a 2-0 set lead in a 3-2 loss at Loyola Chicago during the first meeting. Should that have not happened, Ohio State would be in Loyola Chicago’s shoes right now, although they get a chance for redemption this week.