Match 27
#3 Lindenwood (20-6, 11-5 MIVA)
vs. #6 Lewis (16-13, 8-8 MIVA)
Match Information:
Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026.
Location: St. Charles, Mo.
Venue: Hyland Arena 
First Serve: 6:00 PM CT 
All-Time Series: 6-27
Last Meeting: L, 0-3 
Live Stats: #3 Lindenwood vs #6 Lewis
Watch: ESPN+

Last Time Out
The Lindenwood Men's Volleyball team reverse swept #17 Ohio State at home last Saturday to clinch the #3 seed in the MIVA Conference Tournament. The story of the match was Lindenwood's defense, who finished the match with 11 total blocks which was the second most blocks recorded in a single match during the 2026 season for the Lions. Amir Grant led the team with a career-high seven blocks as the Sophomore Middle Blocker had one solo block and six block assists in the five set win over the Buckeyes, which led him to be named the MIVA Defensive Player Of the Week on Tuesday morning. Offensively, Brendan Louthain had a team-high 12 kills and Caden Whiteside added 10. Both Louthain and Whiteside received MIVA postseason recognition on Thursday morning as Whiteside was named the MIVA Newcomer Of The Year and Louthain was named to the All-MIVA Second Team. Joining them were teammates Zach Solomon, who was named to the All-MIVA First Team, and Luke Kraft who was tabbed an All-MIVA Second Teamer. 

Scouting The Flyers
Similar to Lindenwood, Lewis also had three players selected to an All-MIVA team. Senior Libero Nico Paula was the only Libero to land on the 2026 All-MIVA First Team as he finished the year with 252 digs and an average of 2.47 digs per set, both of which lead the MIVA. Paula had 11 matches where he had 10-or-more digs, highlighted by a 22 dig performance against McKendree back on April 4. Senior Outside Hitter Daniel Haber was tabbed an All-MIVA Second Teamer and he ended the regular season as the Flyers leader in kills (297) and service aces (46). His 297 kills ended the year ranked third in the MIVA and top-20 nationally as well.

The Lions and Flyers split the regular season matchups with each team winning on their home court in three sets. Luke Kraft had a match-high 12 kills back on February 6 in the win over Lewis, while Brendan Louthain had 11 as Lindenwood hit .565 for the match en route to a 2-0 start in MIVA play. 
 
Stats to Know

• The Lions had three All-MIVA Selections during the 2026 season which was the most selections in a single season since 2024.
• Caden Whiteside became the first Lindenwood Player to ever win the MIVA Newcomer Of The Year award.
• LU ended the regular season with 20 wins, which is the most in a single season during Lindenwood's NCAA Era.
• Coach Joe Kosciw has 98 career wins as the head coach of the Lions. 

Up Next
The winner between Lindenwood and Lewis will move on to the MIVA Tournament Semifinal round on Wednesday, April 22 with the time, opponent, and location TBD.