The Weekly Serve: January 18th - 24th

Danny Amezquita
Apr 16
3 min read

It’s week one of the NAIA Men’s Volleyball season, and we have seen some high-quality non-conference volleyball. The road to Cedar Rapids starts now.

Mihailo Ivanovic of No. 8 Park (Mo.) has been named NAIA Volley Report Defender of the Week. He was instrumental in helping the Pirates start the season strong with big wins over RV Reinhardt (Ga.) and No. 14 Westcliff (Calif.). Ivanovic made a major defensive impact with 11 total blocks over three matches, consistently controlling the net and limiting opponents’ swings all weekend.

Guglielmo Illottii of No. 12 Mount Mercy (Iowa) had a dominant offensive showing in two straight-set wins, posting 21 kills on 35 attacks for a .514 hitting percentage, with an average of 4.2 kills per set (KPS). He added 3 service aces and scored 26.5 total points, averaging 5.3 points per set, helping the Mustangs start the season strong.

Alonzo Vega of No. 9 Campbellsville (Ky.) has been named NAIA Volley Report Setter of the Week. Vega led the No. 9 Tigers to a huge upset over No. 3 St. Thomas in a five-set thriller, posting a career-high 61 assists. He nearly recorded a double-double with 9 digs and added 4 service aces, fueling his team’s impressive victory.

Morningside (Iowa) has been named our Team of the Week after a historic start under head coach Marasco-Ayau. The Mustangs are off to a perfect 4–0 start, collecting wins over Goshen (Ind.), Avila (Mo.), No. 14 Westcliff (Calif.), and RV Governors State (Ill.).

The victory over Westcliff marked the first ranked win in program history, a milestone that was followed up with another statement win against Governors State as Morningside continues to build early momentum.

Upsets of the Week

No. 7 Lawrence Tech (MI) def. No. 4 Georgetown (Ky.)
- Lawrence Tech Recap
(RV) Lourdes (Ohio) def. No. 12 Hope International
- Lourdes Recap
(RV) Lourdes def. No. 4 Georgetown (Ky.)
- Lourdes Recap
(RV) Indiana Tech def. No. 10 Benedictine-Mesa
- Indiana Tech Recap
No. 9 Campbellsville (Ky.) def. No. 3 St. Thomas (Fla.)
- Campbellsville Recap
Morningside (Iowa) def. No. 14 Westcliff (Calif.)
- Morningside Recap
(RV) Cornerstone (MI) def. No. 10 Benedictine-Mesa
- Cornerstone Recap

Under-the-Radar Wins

Morningside (Iowa) def. No. 14 Westcliff (Calif.)
Goshen def. NCAA Division-II Jamestown (N.D.)
St. Ambrose def. RV Cumberland (Tenn.)

Sideline Scoop

“We love getting to go on the road and play ranked teams! A big focus of our game this year is to forget about the numbers and play together and present. This crew grinded through an incredibly tough schedule last year and seeing our guys get to experience a top 10 win on the road to start the season is exactly the direction we want our program going. Mentality is to step into the next match like we’re 0-0 all over again. Go Warriors!“ — Head Coach Rosenberg, Indiana Tech Men’s Volleyball

In his response to his 3-0 sweep over No. 10 Benedictine-Mesa RedHawks

Winning Streak Watch

No. 1 The Master’s Mustangs extend their streak to 29 straight victories. They have opened up the year 2-0 with wins over No. 2 Saint Xavier and over NCAA Division-I Long Island University.

Up next: They will play Concordia University Irvine back to back as they will host on the 28th and will then travel to Costa Mesa, Calif. on the 31st.

Milestone Moment

Defiance (Ohio) recorded its first win in program history as it toppled Olivet College in straight sets.
Morningside (Iowa) is off to the best start in program history with a win over RV Governors State & No. 14 Westcliff (Calif.).
Mount Vernon Nazarene (Ohio) is off to a historic start as they went undefeated down in Bourbonnais, Illinois, at Olivet Nazarene University.

Players. Upsets. Breakouts. That’s your weekend in NAIA volleyball. Stay tuned — we’ll be back next Sunday with more highlights and surprises!