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The rivalry and now NCAA Tournament finals match-up between Loyola and Lewis received a new name this season — the MIVAgeddon.
The MIVAgeddon was a term Off the Block coined earlier this season to describe the matches between two of the top ranked teams in the nation.
This was the first time in the history of the MIVA that it had multiple teams ranked atop the national coaches poll during a single-season. In addition, the Ramblers and Flyers in their inaugural MIVAgeddon this season were ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the national rankings.
Check out a recap the first three MIVAgeddon matches leading up to MIVAgeddon IV in the NCAA Tournament finals tonight.
MIVAgeddon: No. 1 Loyola vs. No. 2 Lewis (March 9)
Opposite Eric Fitterer had a season-high six aces and back-to-back aces in a fourth-game overtime to secure the conference road win. The victory also ended Loyola’s 40-match winning streak dating back to last season.
MIVAgeddon II: No. 2 Loyola vs. No. 4 Lewis (April 1)
Lewis rallied from a one-game deficit to defeat Loyola in four games and move into sole possession of first place in the MIVA. In addition, middle attacker Bobby Walsh had a match-high eight blocks to help hold the Ramblers to a season-low .154 attack percentage.
MIVAgeddon III: No. 1 Lewis vs. No. 4 Loyola (May 1)
All-American outside attacker Thomas Jaeschke finished with a match-high 20 kills as Loyola defeated Lewis in the MIVA Tournament championship match. Jaeschke was also one of four Ramblers with double-digit kills in the road victory to clinch the program’s third consecutive conference tournament title.