Game Notes | Live Stats at Valpo | Live Video at Southern Illinois | Live Stats at Southern Illinois

CHICAGO (October 25, 2017) - Loyola looks to snap a 15-match slide when it wraps up a four-match road trip with matches at Valparaiso (Oct. 27) and Southern Illinois (Oct. 30). The Ramblers, who have played four matches against nationally ranked teams this season, suffered a pair of losses in Iowa last weekend, falling at No. 25 UNI and Drake. The Ramblers have won their last two matches against Valparaiso at the Athletics-Recreation Center and are 3-1 against Southern Illinois in Carbondale since joining the Missouri Valley Conference for the 2013 season. Loyola has won three straight versus the Salukis in Carbondale.
 
 
Scouting the Opponents
Valparaiso appears to be finding its stride as it has won three of its last four matches, with the lone loss coming in five sets at No. 25 UNI on October 21. At home in Missouri Valley play, Valpo is just 1-3. The Crusaders pace The Valley in several statistical categories, including digs (20.39 per set), blocks (2.33 per set) and service aces (1.35 per set).
 
Senior middle blocker Taylor Graboski leads Valpo with 3.08 kills per set and is also pitching in 1.101 blocks, while hitting a team-best .285 (256-81-613). Loyola leads the all-time series with Valpo, 25-16 and has won two of the last three contests. However, since 2005, the Crusaders are 13-3 against the Ramblers.
 
Southern Illinois enters this week's action on a six-match losing skid and is still in search of its first win in October. The Salukis have dropped four straight contests at home, including five-set losses to both Illinois State and Bradley last weekend. Although it is already 10 matches into to The Valley schedule this fall, this will be the first meeting of the season between Loyola and Southern Illinois.
 
Six Salukis have accounted for 100 or more kills this season, led by Preseason All-MVC pick Andrea Estrada (2.46 per set). The redshirt senior outside hitter also puts up 3.10 digs and 0.45 blocks per set. Loyola has prevailed in three of the last four meetings between the teams.