Loyola-Chicago Picked as the 2012 MIVA Preseason Favorite

                COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Loyola-Chicago has been selected as the preseason favorite to win the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association by a vote of the league coaches. The Ramblers edged Ohio State by three votes and had four first place votes to three for the Buckeyes. Lewis was picked to finish third, with Ball State and Quincy tied for fourth. IPFW was ranked sixth with Grand Canyon seventh to round out the voting.

                The coaches also selected the 2012 MIVA preseason All-Conference Team comprised of nine players and two liberos (due to a tie). All seven squads are represented with Lewis having three players and two each from Ohio State and Loyola-Chicago. Voted to the team from Lewis were Matt Gallik, Jay Petty and Roberto Torres-Davis. Mike Bunting and Joe Smalzer were selected from Loyola-Chicago with Mik Berzins and Shawn Sangrey from Ohio State. Steven Battaglia of Quincy, Trent Bruns of Grand Canyon, Ivan Matos of IPFW and Graham McIlvaine  of Ball State rounded out the team.