The Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association announced on Tuesday (April 7) that Loyola Chicago’s Ryan McElligott and Lewis’ Nico Paula were selected as the MIVA Players of the Week.
While leading Loyola Chicago to wins over McKendree and Lindenwood, McElligott got it done in all aspects of the Rambler offense. The junior setter dished out 9.67 assists per set while adding 1.00 kills and 0.83 aces per set. He had 33 assists, three kills and two aces against McKendree and 25 assists, three kills and three aces against Lindenwood. As a team, Loyola hit .462 against the Bearcats and .319 against the Lions. This is McElligott’s third Player of the Week award of his career and second this season.
Paula had a MIVA-best 3.71 digs per set this week, helping Lewis to a 1-1 week. The Flyers beat Lindenwood 3-0 and fell to McKendree 3-1. After four digs against the Lions, Paula racked up 22 digs against McKendree, the most in a MIVA match this season and matched the Lewis record. Paula was without a reception error in 26 receptions over the two matches. This is Paula’s 10th Player of the Week award and second this season.
2026 MIVA Players of the Week
Offensive
1/13 - Diego Estrada, Lewis
1/20 - Zach Solomon, Lindenwood
1/27 - Patrick Rogers, Ball State & Sam Hoskin, McKendree
2/3 - Josh Schellinger, Loyola Chicago
2/10 - Zach Solomon, Lindenwood
2/17 - Casey Maas, Queens
2/24 - Eliel Salva-Torres, Ohio State
3/3 - Ryan McElligott, Loyola Chicago
3/10 - Zach Solomon, Lindenwood
3/17 - Bryce Wetjen, McKendree
3/24 - Shane Wetzel, Ohio State
3/31 - Patrick Rogers, Ball State
4/7 - Ryan McElligott, Loyola Chicago
Defensive
1/13 - Daniel Haber, Lewis
1/20 - Tyler Tripp, McKendree
1/27 - Tyler Tripp, McKendree
2/3 - Lucas Machado, Ball State
2/10 - Kaden Fosdick, Purdue Fort Wayne
2/17 - Victor Scherer, Ball State
2/24 - Nico Paula, Lewis
3/3 - Nate Flayter, McKendree
3/10 - Nate Flayter, McKendree
3/17 - Aidan Klein, Loyola Chicago
3/24 - Lincoln Geist, Lindenwood
3/31 - Trace Klausing, Northern Kentucky
4/7 - Nico Paula, Lewis
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