Preparing to enter her sixth season at head women's basketball coach at Loyola University, Kate Achter has transformed the Ramblers into a contending team in the talent-rich Missouri Valley Conference.  A native of Oregon, Ohio, Achter arrived in Rogers Park from Xavier University, where she served as an assistant coach and the team's recruiting coordinator during the 2015-16 season.Â
"Kate Achter is one of the rising stars in college basketball and we are all thrilled to have her as our head women's basketball coach," Loyola Director of Athletics Steve Watson said. "During her time both on and off the court, she has experienced nothing but success as a coach and a player. Kate has had the opportunity to work with some of the finest coaches in the business who have prepared her to lead our program and provide an excellent student-athlete experience at a world class institution like Loyola."
Achter turned in arguably her finest performance at the head of the Loyola bench in 2020-21, guiding the Ramblers to a 12-15 finish (8-10 MVC) and a berth in the Women's Basketball Invitational (WBI), the program's first postseason appearance. The Ramblers advanced to the semifinals of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament for the first time following a thrilling 61-60 win over in-state rival Illinois State in the quarterfinals of the event. Five members of the Loyola roster earned All-MVC honors, highlighted by First Team All-Valley selection Allison Day and MVC Freshman of the Year Maya Chandler. Ellie Rice wrapped up a terrific career with the Maroon & Gold by taking home Honorable Mention All-MVC accolades as she reached the 1,000-point mark for her career, while Bre-Hampton Bey landed on the MVC All-Newcomer Team. For the fourth straight year, Loyola was represented on The Valley's All-Freshman Team, with both Chandler and Sitori Tanin receiving recognition. The Ramblers also continued to excel off the court, as both Day and Rice took home MVC Scholar-Athlete honors.
The 2019-20 campaign proved to be Achter's best since her arrival in Rogers Park, as the Ramblers opened the season a program-best 9-0 en route to finishing 15-14 overall (6-12 MVC), the program's first winning season since 2012-13. Achter's crew became the first team in all of Division I to win each of its first eight road contests. For the second time in as many seasons, three Ramblers took home All-Missouri Valley Conference accolades. Abby O'Connor, who became just the 25th player in program annals to reach the 1,000-point mark for her career, was named an Honorable Mention All-MVC honors. The pairing of Sam Galanopoulos and Jala Johnson each landed on The Valley's All-Freshman Team, marking the third consecutive year that the Maroon & Gold has had at least one freshman selected. Loyola was again recognized for its work in the classroom, with O'Connor earning her second straight MVC Scholar-Athlete nod.
Loyola continued its upward trend in 2018-19, Achter's third year at the head of the Loyola bench, closing the season 13 victories, including six in Missouri Valley Conference play. The Ramblers won six of their first eight games, matching the program's best start in 17 years, before going on to record their first postseason victory since 2014-15 as they defeated Evansville in the opening round of the MVC Tournament. Three Ramblers earned All-Missouri Valley Conference accolades, led by sophomore Abby O'Connor. O'Connor put together one of the top individual seasons by a Rambler in recent memory, averaging 14.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game en route to being named the first Rambler to earn First Team All-MVC honors since 2015-16. Freshmen Janae Gonzales and Allison Day burst on the scene with impressive debut campaigns for the Maroon & Gold, both receiving MVC All-Freshman Team nods. Achter's group also continued its strong work in the classroom, with both O'Connor and fellow sophomore Ellie Rice landing on the MVC Women's Basketball Scholar-Athlete Team.
During the 2017-18 season, Achter piloted the Ramblers to seven victories, more than tripling the team's win total from her first year in charge. The Maroon & Gold racked up five victories in Missouri Valley Conference play, highlighted by an impressive 71-61 road victory over Bradley that marked Loyola's second triumph in Peoria, Ill. in the last 25 years. O'Connor quickly established herself as a viable scoring threat for the Ramblers, averaging team-high marks in both points (10.5 ppg) and rebounds (5.6 rpg), en route to earning a spot on the MVC's All-Freshman Team. Graduate transfer Jessica Cerda provided a lift on the offensive end as well, knocking down 71 shots from beyond the three-point arc, a mark that ranked eighth on Loyola's all-time single-season record board in the category. Cerda and senior Katie Salmon were both recognized for their work away from the court, earning Honorable Mention selections to the Valley's Scholar-Athlete Team for women's basketball.Â
Achter's first year at the head of the Rambler bench was highlighted by a breakout junior season from forward Katie Salmon. The Wauwatosa, Wis. native posted career-best averages in both scoring (8.8 ppg) and rebounding (6.0 rpg) and was the only Rambler to start in all 30 contests. Salmon was also lauded for her work in the classroom as she became Loyola's first MVC Scholar-Athlete honoree since the 2012-13 season. Freshman guard Tiara Wallace thrived under Achter's tutelage. Wallace averaged a team-high 3.0 assists, leading all Valley freshmen in the category.
In her one season with the Musketeers, Achter helped lead the team to a 17-13 overall record, the school's second winning season in as many years. She directly aided in the development of Briana Glover, who was named an All-BIG EAST Conference selection last March. Apart from her on-court duties, Achter oversaw all areas of recruitment, specifically targeting a handful of states throughout the Midwest, as well as coordinating all on and off-campus recruiting visits.
"I would like to thank Steve Watson for this tremendous opportunity to lead the women's basketball program," Achter said. "I couldn't be more excited to join the Rambler family. Throughout the process, I learned that Loyola was a very special place. The people I met with have great pride for the university, and I can't wait to share our campus and rich academic tradition with the next generation of Ramblers. The work begins immediately, and I am very proud to represent Loyola in my coaching efforts. Go Ramblers!"
Prior to arriving at Xavier, Achter enjoyed a highly successful five-year stay on the coaching staff at St. Bonaventure, serving as an assistant coach for three seasons before being elevated to the role of associate head coach ahead of the 2013-14 campaign. She helped guide the Bonnies to a trio of postseason berths, highlighted by a trip to the Sweet 16 of the 2012 NCAA Tournament. St. Bonaventure recorded three seasons of 20 or more wins during Achter's tenure, including a school-record 31 wins in 2011-12.
A 2008 graduate of Bowling Green State University, Achter was a driving force as the Falcons captured four straight Mid-American Conference (MAC) titles and made three appearances in the NCAA Tournament during her playing career, highlighted by a Sweet 16 berth in 2007. The All-American point guard finished her career ranked fifth on the school's all-time scoring list (1,580) and as the Falcons' all-time leader in both assists (688) and free throws made (551). Following gradation, Achter played professionally for one season with Palaio Faliro in Athens, Greece before returning to her alma mater as a graduate assistant with its strength and conditioning staff.
What They're Saying About Kate Achter
Jim Crowley -- Head Women's Basketball Coach -- Providence College
"Kate Achter is a great choice for Loyola. Kate's work ethic, knowledge and determination make her one of the best young coaches I have ever been around. She is a terrific teacher and even better person, who will do special things for Loyola women's basketball."
Curt Miller -- Head Coach -- Connecticut Sun (WNBA)
"Loyola has hit a home run with the hiring of Kate Achter. She is a rising superstar in the coaching profession and will bring an incredible work ethic to their program. She was the leader and engine of our BGSU Championship teams and fully understands the culture behind successful teams. She will not only be a great coach but she will thrive as a role model to her student-athletes while being an excellent ambassador for the University."
Jim Jabir -- Head Women's Basketball Coach -- University of Dayton
"Loyola has made a great hire in Kate Achter. I have known Kate since she was in high school and she is a winner. She will win and win with dignity and class. In Kate Loyola now has a coach who will compete and win the right way. It's a great day for Loyola women's basketball."
Jonathan Tsipis -- Head Women's Basketball Coach -- University of Wisconsin
"Loyola University Chicago has made an outstanding hire in Kate Achter as their new women's basketball coach. I have known Kate since she was a championship player on the court at Bowling Green and had the opportunity to coach against her while at both Notre Dame and George Washington. At St. Bonaventure and Xavier, she has been prepared well to run her own programs. Kate relates well with student-athletes because she cares about their growth on and off the court. Kate is the type of coach I would want my own daughter to play for one day."
