Loyola Boys Volleyball Finishes 3rd at Marist Invite

Ramblers suffer first loss of season in semifinals but bounce back to take third place

Apr. 3, 2026 at 11:25pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a boys volleyball game, with sharp overlapping planes of blue, red, and yellow representing the dynamic action on the court.Loyola Academy's resilience and balanced team effort propelled them to a third-place finish at the Marist Invite.Chicago Today

Loyola Academy's boys volleyball team had a strong showing at the Marist Redhawk Invite in Chicago, going 4-1 overall to finish in third place out of 24 teams. The Ramblers suffered their first loss of the season in the semifinals against eventual champion O'Fallon, but rebounded to defeat Lane Tech in the third-place match.

Why it matters

Loyola's performance at the Marist Invite demonstrates the team's resilience and ability to bounce back from adversity. Despite the semifinal loss, the Ramblers proved they are a top contender in the state, which should boost their confidence and momentum as they continue their season.

The details

Loyola opened the tournament with four straight wins, including victories over Argo, Lincoln-Way West, Lincoln-Way East, and Lane Tech. The Ramblers were led by strong individual performances, including Drew Bevan, Luke Malles, Michael Eiben, Matthew Lechman, and Aldis Kins. In the semifinals, Loyola fell to eventual champion O'Fallon in straight sets, but the team regrouped to defeat Lane Tech in the third-place match.

  • The Marist Redhawk Invite took place on March 27-28, 2026.
  • Loyola's first loss of the season came in the semifinals against O'Fallon.

The players

Loyola Academy

A high school boys volleyball team based in Chicago, Illinois.

Aldis Kins

A Loyola Academy player who was selected to the all-tournament team after contributing 80 assists and 5 aces.

Drew Bevan

A Loyola Academy player who led the team in kills and aces throughout the tournament.

Luke Malles

A Loyola Academy player who was a consistent contributor with kills and blocks.

Michael Eiben

A Loyola Academy player who excelled on the defensive end with multiple blocks.

Matthew Lechman

A Loyola Academy player who provided a balanced offensive and defensive effort with kills and blocks.

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What’s next

Loyola Academy will look to build on their strong performance at the Marist Invite as they continue their regular season schedule. The team's resilience and balanced contributions from multiple players should give them confidence heading into the remainder of the year.

The takeaway

Loyola Academy's boys volleyball team showed their mettle at the Marist Invite, bouncing back from their first loss of the season to secure a third-place finish. The Ramblers' ability to overcome adversity and get contributions from a variety of players bodes well for their chances of contending for a state championship later in the year.