Jan. 20--Chicago area volleyball fans should circle March 9 on their calendars.
That's when the two top-ranked Division I men's teams in the country are to meet at Loyola for the first time this season.
And for the first time ever in the same season, No. 1 and No. 2 are both Chicago area schools.
Reigning NCAA champion Loyola (5-0) retained the No. 1 spot in the American Volleyball Coaches rankings released Tuesday.
Lewis (4-1) moved up three spots to No. 2.
That comes only a year after the Ramblers became the first Midwestern school recognized as Division I champion. Lewis forfeited the title it won in 2003 for violations related to scholarships and use of foreign players who no longer were amateurs.
Lewis has made the NCAA tournament two of the past three years. The No. 2 ranking is its highest since Dan Friend took over as Flyers' coach in 2005.
