The Lewis University men’s volleyball team has climbed to the No. 1 spot in the country heading into the postseason. Now comes the tough part — living up to that ranking.
It’s the first time the Flyers have held the No. 1 spot since the end of the 2003 season.
“We’re excited,” Lewis coach Dan Friend said “I think to be recognized by peer institutions on the body of work for the year is great.”
No. 1 Lewis (24-2) is favored to capture the Midwest Intercollegiate Volleyball Association and national championships over the next two weeks. The Flyers could host the MIVA championship game Friday, May 1 in Romeoville. The NCAA tournament begins May 5 in Palo Alto, Calif.
“Our focus is on the first round (of the MIVA tournament) and what we need to do to put ourselves in good position to win it,” Friend said.
Lewis went 17-1 to win the MIVA regular season title. Friend, the 2015 MIVA Coach of the Year, knows a No. 1 ranking doesn’t mean much come tournament time.
“The coaches ranking has no bearing on the MIVA or the NCAA tournament,” Friend said. “We feel good about how we are playing, but at the same time, we are trying to work on the little things so that we can play our best volleyball now.”
What has bolstered Lewis this season is dedication to defense and an offense powered by all-MIVA first team players — senior outside hitter Geoff Powell, senior outside hitter Greg Petty and senior opposite hitter Eric Fitterer. The Flyer offense is under the direction of junior setter Scott Fifer (Sandburg).
“We are taking it one game at a time, just like the whole year,” Friend said. “Our approach or preparation won’t change. Our goals shift from regular season to postseason and we’re looking to accomplish those.”
Junior middle blocker Bobby Walsh (Mount Carmel) leads the nation in blocks with 1.55 per set and is a MIVA first team selection. Lewis leads the nation in blocks with 3.41 per set. No other team in the nation is averaging three blocks per set.
Lewis was ranked No. 1 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association poll for two weeks in the regular season in 1999.
Title clincher
The No. 5 Saint Xavier softball team swept Olivet Nazarene to capture the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference championship. The Cougars (38-4-2 overall, 19-0-1 in the CCAC) clinched one of the league’s two automatic bids to the NAIA World Series. Junior standout Nicole Nonnemacher pitched shutouts in the doubleheader on her way to being named NAIA National Softball Pitcher of the Week for the second time in her career.
GLVC champ
Lewis junior Alex Thode won the Great Lakes Valley Conference men’s golf championship. Thode is the seventh GLVC champion in program history. Other Lewis GLVC champions include Carl Ficek (1984), Tony Trogolo (1986), Jason Shook (1990), Steve Schuit (1991), Craig Murphy (1994) and Jason Buffone (2004).
Nelson is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
