There are some new faces at this year’s UCSB Asics Invitational.
Lewis, Loyola of Chicago and Cal Baptist join the more familiar participants like UCLA, Long Beach State, UC Irvine, UC San Diego and the host Gauchos in the annual season-opening, two-day men’s volleyball tournament.
The action begins at 10 a.m. Friday at the Thunderdome and Rob Gym. UCSB opens against UCLA at Rob Gym. In other openers, UC Irvine plays Cal Baptist, Long Beach State takes on Loyola and Lewis faces UC San Diego at the T-Dome.
The semifinals are set at 7:30 p.m. The championship match is Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at Rob Gym.
Cal Baptist will soon become a familiar face as it joins the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. The Lancers, a former NAIA program, have been transitioning to NCAA Division I-II competition the last two years.
Lewis is a perennial power from the Midwest. The Flyers of Romeoville, Ill., are ranked fifth in the AVCA preseason poll and picked to win the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association.
Loyola of Chicago is ranked 10th in the country and voted second in the MIVA. The Ramblers have a local player, former San Marcos and SBCC standout Pete Aronchick.
Besides new teams, there will be a couple of new faces on the sidelines. John Speraw isn’t a new face but he’s got a new job at UCLA. Speraw returns to his alma mater after guiding UC Irvine to the national championship last year. He replaces the legendary Al Scates.
David Kniffen takes over at UC Irvine. Kniffen, an Irvine alum, spent five seasons as an assistant with the Anteaters (2007-2011) and served last year as an assistant with the women’s program at Illinois.
UCSB enters the season with an experienced squad, led by preseason All-American Dylan Davis, a 6-9 senior middle blocker, and 6-4 senior outside hitter Miles Evans, the team’s kill leader last season.
Coach Rick McLaughlin has 13 returning players, including six regulars from the 2012 squad.
The Gauchos are ranked No. 13 in the AVCA preseason poll.
