NAPERVILLE — The College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) men’s volleyball season continued to produce nationally notable results over the previous week, including record-setting individual performances, multiple ranked matchups and several five-set decisions. 
 
Three conference programs are currently ranked or receiving votes in the latest national poll, while Ethan Kuziela earned American Volleyball Coaches Association Division III National Player of the Week recognition after a 3-0 week for Illinois Wesleyan.
 
The Triple-Double Titan: Kuziela Rewrites the Record Books
Kuziela, a sophomore setter, was named the AVCA Division III National Player of the Week after directing the Titans through a 3-0 stretch last weekend. He posted back-to-back triple-doubles versus Concordia Wisconsin and Wisconsin Lutheran, giving him three triple-doubles this season.
 
In Saturday’s five-set win over Wisconsin Lutheran, Kuziela helped Illinois Wesleyan set a program single-match record with 76 kills while contributing 12 kills, 33 assists and 13 digs. Illinois Wesleyan currently ranks first nationally in kills per set (13.68) and assists per set (12.46), while Kuziela is listed at 7.06 assists per set and has also produced a .332 hitting percentage to date.
 
Provost’s Power: A Record-Breaking Freshman Campaign
Aydin Provost set IWU single-match records last Friday in a four-set win over Concordia Wisconsin, totaling 25 kills and 27.5 points. The 25 kills surpassed the program’s previous single-match mark of 23.
 
Provost also led the Titans with 17 kills in Sunday’s five-set win over Wisconsin Lutheran and added 12 kills in a four-set victory over Westminster during the IWU Triangular. He currently ranks 24th nationally in kills per set (3.61) and 25th in points per set (4.19).
 
Duhawk Defiance: Loras Rises in the National Rankings
Loras moved to No. 11 in the latest AVCA poll after consecutive five-set wins over ranked opponents. Last Friday, Loras won a five-set match at Aurora, with Connor Jaral and Bo Brainerd III each recording 16 kills.
 
On Sunday, Loras rallied from a 2-1 deficit to defeat Dominican in five sets, led by Roman Rothermel with 17 kills. Brainerd is currently second nationally in hitting percentage (.493), while Rothermel is listed 16th (.419). Evan Dziadkowiec ranks fourth nationally in assists per set (10.27). Loras is 11-1 overall (.917).
 
Firebird Flickers: Carthage Maintains Top-Five Status Despite Slip
Carthage remained No. 5 in the latest AVCA poll following a five-set loss to UC Santa Cruz last Friday. In that match, Ben Heise recorded 20 kills and Ryan Morey posted a season-high 49 assists.
 
Carthage currently ranks fifth nationally in team hitting percentage (.315). Ryan Bartz is listed eighth nationally in points per set (4.53) and 12th in kills per set (3.83), while Hudson Sweitzer ranks 13th in hitting percentage (.435).
 
Viking Valiance: Augustana’s Defensive Wall
Augustana has been among the national leaders defensively, ranking first in team attacks per set (32.60) and seventh in digs per set (12.20). Colin Alvers ranks 10th nationally in digs per set (3.16).
 
On Friday, Alvers totaled 19 digs in a four-set win over Marian, while Alexander Sulewski recorded 12 kills on .550 hitting. In Tuesday’s four-set loss to St. Ambrose, Ryan Huntington finished with 15 kills on .652 hitting.
 
Cardinal Courage: Playing for a Fallen Teammate
North Central recognized teammate Henry Blackmore prior to its Tuesday match against Aurora, including special warm-up shirts and a moment of silence in Naperville.
 
In the four-set match, Brannen Almarales recorded 10 kills and 16 digs, matching the program’s third-highest dig total in a four-set match. Almarales also had 16 kills in last Friday’s three-set loss to MSOE. Chris Mactal is currently ranked 24th nationally in blocks per set (1.025).
 
Looking Ahead: The Battle for the CCIW Begins
Through Wednesday, Loras (11-1) and Illinois Wesleyan (12-3) have the conference’s top overall records, while league play is set to begin this week. Illinois Wesleyan opens conference play Thursday at Carthage.
 
Additional upcoming matches include North Central at Augustana on Friday and a Saturday slate featuring Loras hosting North Park along with Carthage hosting Cal Lutheran in non-conference action.