Follow
Pin-hitter Parker Van Buren left no doubt why he was selected as the MIVA Player of the Year.
Van Buren led all players with 22 kills on a .436 attack percentage as the No. 1 seed Loyola swept the No. 4 seed Lewis 25-15, 25-23, 25-23 in the MIVA Tournament semifinals on Wednesday in Chicago.
The senior did not commit an attack error and had a game-high eight kills in the final game, including the match-winning kill to prevent overtime and complete the sweep. In addition, Van Buren also had back-to-back aces late in the final game to help the Ramblers return to the conference finals for the first time since 2021.
This is the seventh time this season that Van Buren had at least 20 kills for the MIVA regular season champions. Van Buren entered this match fourth in the nation and leading the MIVA with a 4.30 kills per game average.
Setter Ryan McElligott guided the Loyola offense to out-hit Lewis .380 to .310 highlighted with a match-best .452 attack percentage in the opening game.
Along with Van Buren, outside attacker Jake Read had eight kills and zero errors on a .667 attack percentage. Middle attacker Brad Bell also contributed six kills and zero errors on a team-best .875 attack percentage.
Opposite Oguzhan Oguz in the loss led Lewis with 12 kills and hit .346. Oguz, though, was the only Lewis player to have double-digit kills.
This was the first time in three meetings this season that the Ramblers defeated the Flyers.
Loyola with this victory will advance to play the No. 3 seed Ohio State in the MIVA Tournament finals on Saturday. The two-time defending MIVA champions upset the No. 2 seed McKendree in its semifinal match on Wednesday.
Ohio State and Loyola have won all but four MIVA Tournament championships since 2008.