BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - The Illinois Wesleyan University men's volleyball team begins its 2022 season with a triangular in Rockford, Ill, Friday, Jan. 21. The team will square off against NAIA opponent Mount Mercy University at 5 p.m., followed by a 7 p.m. date with host, Rockford University. Mount Mercy enters the triangular with a record of 0-1, while Rockford holds a record of 0-2.

The Green and White, now in its second season, welcomes five newcomers to the roster. Friday's match will serve as the collegiate debuts for Ryan Myers (Hawthorn Woods, Ill.-Stevenson), Sean Setina (Plainfield, Ill.-Plainfield North), Vince DiCosola (Aurora, Ill.-Oswego East), Luke Hartke (Barrington, Ill.-Barrington), and Jake Kougan (Frankfort, Ill.-Lincoln-Way East).

In the team's inaugural 2021 season, sophomore Michael Eastman (Chicago, Ill.-Saint Ignatius) led IWU's offensive attack en route to notching team-highs of 163 kills and 18 aces. 

Sophomore KJ Johnson (Saint John, Ind.-Marian Catholic) accumulated a team-high 108 digs and produced 124 kills, which equated to the second most for the Green and White. 

In the Titans 6-2 setting scheme, Dominic Bennett (Lockport, Ill.-Plainfield Central) and Bradley Benson (Lemont, Ill.-Lemont Township) generated 210 and 204 assists, respectively.

Up front, sophomore Alec Mucha (Geneva, Ill.-Geneva) racked up a team-high 33 blocks along with 66 kills for the Green and White. 

A live video for both of the matches can be found by clicking here and live stats can be found by clicking here. Results will be posted to iwusports.com upon the conclusion of both matches. 

To stay up to date on all things Illinois Wesleyan men's volleyball, be sure to follow the team's social media accounts for Instagram (@IWUMENSVOLLEYBALL) and Twitter (@IWUMVB).