By Nolan DeVriese - Athletic Communications Student Assistant
Contact: Troy Weiman - Director of Athletic Communications
Jan 21, 2023 – Volleyball season is here for the Loras College men's volleyball team as the Duhawks kick off their 2022-23 season tomorrow, Saturday Jan. 21 versus St. Norbert College in the Baldwin Wallace Invitational.
Third-year head coach Dylan Ross is looking to have another dominant season. Having a record of 30-12, Ross has made a name for the Duhawks in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) heading into the 2023 season coming off a 21-7 record in the previous season.
Similar to last year we return four all conference selections. Dorian Fiorenza is entering his fourth season, excited to see him grow and take his game to being one of the best outsides in the country. Patrick Mahoney had some ebbs and flows to the season last year and really looking for him to be a complete player on both sides of the ball. Joe Horn is our leader and really our glue, he is so consistent and the biggest competitor on our team. Corey Mayotte rounds out the four and was honored with Newcomer of the Year in the conference, he's looking to make that leap of not being a freshman anymore and just being a person to rely on. He has done the work and now it's time to show it. - Head Coach Dylan Ross.
There are still a lot of familiar faces this year on the court with seniors Joe Horn, Patrick Mahoney, Jake Filotto and Dorian Fiorenza. Look for these upperclassmen to have a stellar year for the Duhawks with some underclassmen coming off the bench and having an imitate impact to the squad as well.
With a great team comes great competition, facing North Central at home on March 4 and 25, Carthage College on March 8 and 29, this Saturday versus St. Norbert, and then the CCIW Tournament on April 12.
"Every game challenges us in big ways. We are locked in on St. Norbert game one and ready to prove ourselves every day." - Head Coach Dylan Ross
"More experience the better and we have eight to 10 players with in-game experience at the highest of levels with playing many final four teams in the last two years. We just need to use that to our advantage." - DR
" I'm stoked to see who makes that jump into being a reliable everyday guy. Tyler Kratochvil and Michael Dziewior have put in the work and really made the step but its about making it a complete season of doing that. - HC DR
Loras will travel to Berea, Ohio this weekend in the Baldwin Wallace Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 21 at 12:00 P.M ET.