CCIW men’s volleyball teams open season with strong national performances
The College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) men's volleyball season began with several teams making a strong impression on the national stage. Three CCIW programs—Carthage, Loras, and North Central—were ranked in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division III Top 20 Poll after the opening week. Carthage started its campaign with three consecutive straight-set victories and is favored to repeat as conference champion. Loras and North Central also maintained unbeaten records.
Illinois Wesleyan matched its best start in program history by winning its first four matches before narrowly losing its fifth game within six days. The team’s road victory over Concordia Chicago included a marathon third set that ended 44-42, marking the longest set in Illinois Wesleyan history and tying for the second-longest in NCAA Division III history. The Titans finished the match with a school-record 64 kills in four sets.
North Central overcame a two-set deficit against Illinois Tech, winning three straight sets behind freshman Elijah Landeros’ collegiate debut of 24 kills. Landeros currently leads the conference in kills per set (4.80) and points per set (5.00), ranking third and fifth nationally, respectively.
Carthage senior Ryan Bartz led his team with a .474 hitting percentage, which ranks eighth nationally, and he stands seventh in points per set (4.94). Illinois Wesleyan’s Aydin Provost was named CCIW Hitter of the Week after recording 21 kills in a three-set win over Lakeland—a new school record for kills in such a match while hitting .531. Overall, CCIW teams compiled a 10-2 non-conference record during the season’s first week.
Defensive play has been notable as well. Loras' James Pirocanac leads the conference and is second nationally with 1.50 blocks per set; teammate Roman Rothermel follows closely at 1.43 blocks per set, ranking fifth nationally. Rothermel earned CCIW Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week honors after registering seven blocks against Benedictine.
In back-row defense, North Central’s Brannen Almarales averages 4.20 digs per set, placing him second nationwide. Carthage's defensive unit limited opponents to a .071 hitting percentage across their first nine sets.
Setting has also played an important role this season. North Central’s PJ Vaughan had 52 assists during their comeback win over Illinois Tech, tying for fourth-most in school history and placing him fourth nationally at 10.40 assists per set. Illinois Wesleyan’s Ethan Kuziela achieved a five-set personal best of 39 assists versus Wisconsin–Stevens Point and followed it up with a school-record 37 assists in three sets against Lakeland.
At Carthage, Ryan Morey reached a career milestone by surpassing 1,194 career assists after tallying 28 more against MSOE.
Looking ahead to late January, No. 2 Carthage will travel to Concordia Wisconsin on Thursday while No. 20 North Central hosts Concordia Chicago that same night. North Park seeks its first win at Edgewood on Thursday; Augustana begins its season Friday at Dominican; No. 14 Loras visits MSOE; Illinois Wesleyan hosts Aurora and Trine on Saturday; and North Central faces Benedictine in another non-conference matchup.