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PREVIEW: Men's Volleyball Anxious to Take Court After Long Layoff

Photo By Judith Rackow
Photo By Judith Rackow
Posted: Feb 19, 2021

2021 MEN'S VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE

2021 MEN'S VOLLEYBALL ROSTER

CHICAGO—The Illinois Institute of Technology men's volleyball team will embark on their first match in 348 days on Saturday, February 20, when they're set to open their 2021 campaign on the road at No. 11 Benedictine (Ill.) at 2:00 p.m. The Scarlet Hawks' shortened 2020 season (2-11, 1-1 NACC) ended on a high note with a 3-1 decision over first-year program St. Norbert College on March 7, 2020 before COVID-19 shutdown the remaining schedule.

No in-person spectators will be allowed at any match during the 2021 season. 

Saturday's contest will mark Illinois Tech's first athletic event since Tuesday, March 10, when men's lacrosse picked up their first win as a program in a 15-5 score over Beloit at Stuart Field.

"We're just happy, and very thankful that we can play right now," said head men's volleyball coach Mark Johnston. "We get to open against three of the top 25 teams in the country. We're thankful to be in this conference (Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference) as well. From top to bottom there's solid competition, and we're going to be pushed every single match."

The 2021 season will consist of an exclusive 11-game NACC schedule, with all conference members playing each other once. Illinois Tech will cut their teeth with three opponents in the 2021 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Men's Division III Preseason Poll out of the gates with No. 11 Benedictine, No. 6 Dominican (Ill.) at home on Tuesday, February 23, and at Aurora (receiving votes) on Thursday, February 25. Illinois Tech's 2021 season is set to conclude on Friday, April 2 at MSOE. 

The Scarlet Hawks' 2021 roster is veteran heavy, as six-of-18 members are seniors, led by 2020 NACC Honorable Mention selection outside hitter Andriy Bench, and middle blocker Evan Robeck. Bench finished the 2020 campaign with a team-leading 118 kills (2.88 kills per set), while Robeck paced the team with 41 blocks (0.89 blocks per set). Robeck is the Scarlet Hawks' career leader in blocks with 236. Senior Easton Kays, who finished second on the team with 99 kills (2.36 kills per set) in 2020, is another key cog in the Illinois Tech lineup. 

Deimantas Gilys, Lucas Guanes and Jackson Van Engen make up the three freshmen on the 2021 Scarlet Hawks roster that will benefit having a veteran team to develop from.