March 18, 2008

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. - The Lewis University's men's volleyball team has earned the No. 15 ranking in the latest CBS College Sports Network/AVCA Division I-II Men's Volleyball Coaches Top 15 Poll.

The Flyers received votes eight of the last 10 weeks but a road victory over then No. 15 Loyola-Chicago helped vault the Flyers into the national rankings for the first time since 2004.

The win over Loyola-Chicago was the third triumph of a ranked team this season. The Flyers took down then No. 11 IPFW on Feb. 15 and swept then No. 8 USC on the road two weeks ago.

The Flyers have multiple players at the top of the national rankings. Sophomore Mike Iandolo (.57) leads the nation in aces per game and junior Drew Pickering is eighth (.47). Junior Alex Vigansky's average of 1.48 blocks per game leads the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association and ranks fourth in the nation. Junior Nick Perakes is second in the MIVA and tied for sixth with 2.68 digs per game. As a team the Flyers are leading the conference in hitting percentage (.289) and blocks per game (3.31).

On Monday senior Jared Dayton became the second Flyer to earn MIVA Player of the Week this year.

The Flyers are 16-6 (5-2 MIVA) and have won nine of their last 10 matches. Lewis faces a big test on Wednesday when No. 10 Ohio State comes to Neil Carey Arena. The Buckeyes are 6-1 in MIVA play and one game above the Flyers. Lewis will be looking to avenge an earlier loss at Ohio State. If you can't make it out to Neil Carey Arena the match will be webcasted on www.LewisFlyers.com.