McLean County Times

The Illinois Wesleyan University men's volleyball team faced No. 11 Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, and lost in straight sets (25-13, 25-15, 25-13) on Wednesday night, April 2. This defeat brings the Titans' record to 12-11 overall and 2-7 in College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin play. Loras College improved to 16-4 and 7-2 in league play.

Illinois Wesleyan struggled to find their form, managing only 20 kills on a low hitting percentage, while Loras had 37 kills and hit .446. The Duhawks also led in assists (33-19), digs (24-18), and blocks (12-3). IWU had a slight advantage with three aces compared to Loras's two.

Sophomore Bryce Williams led IWU with five kills and two aces. Senior Ryan Myers, freshman Ethan Kuziela, and sophomore Brenden Reutter each contributed three kills. Senior Vince DiCosola provided 10 assists. Myers, Williams, Reutter, and freshman Ben Zima each recorded three digs. The team's three blocks came from solo efforts by different players.

Early in the first set, Jake Kougan scored IWU's first point, and Myers tied the score at 2-2. Although IWU briefly led 5-4, Loras took control and won the set 25-13.

In the second set, back-to-back kills by Williams and Kuziela brought the score to 3-2, but Loras responded with a run and won 25-15. In the third set, after Loras started with a 7-1 run, Illinois Wesleyan narrowed the deficit to 12-7 but eventually lost the set 25-13.

Illinois Wesleyan will host Loras College on Saturday, April 5, at 5 p.m. in their final regular-season match, which will include Senior Day celebrations, honoring Ryan Myers, Vince DiCosola, Luke Hartke, and Jake Kougan.