Game Notes | Video at Missouri State | Live Stats at Missouri State | Live Stats vs. Valpo

CHICAGO (September 24, 2017) – Loyola looks to put an end to a seven-match skid when it travels to Missouri State on September 25 before returning home to battle Missouri Valley Conference newcomer and former league mate Valparaiso on October 1. The Ramblers have fared well on the road in MVC action, winning four of their last five regular-season conference contests. Loyola's lone defeat in that stretch was a setback at UNI on November 11, 2016. Following Sunday's game against Valparaiso, the Ramblers will play six of their next eight contests away from home.
 
Scouting the Opponents
Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year candidate Lily Johnson leads a potent Missouri State attack with 4.27 kills per set, while also adding 3.37 digs and 0.32 service aces per set. The Bears enter Monday's showdown on a three-match winning streak and have won six of their last eight outings. Like Loyola, Missouri State has played a challenging non-conference slate, having faced three ranked opponents, plus three others from Power 5 conferences.
 
Loyola is just 1-9 all-time against Missouri State and will be looking for its second win ever in Springfield and first since 2015. The Bears have won the last four meetings with Loyola since the Ramblers escaped Hammons Student Center with a 25-21, 20-25, 25-21, 25-16 victory on October 16, 2015.
 
League newcomer Valparaiso had a five-match winning streak snapped over the weekend when it dropped contests to No. 22 UNI and Drake. The Crusaders have won five of their last six matches away from home and are 3-1 in true road games this season. Valpo has won 12 of the last 15 meetings with Loyola, though the Ramblers have claimed the last two match-ups, including a 25-22, 25-18, 25-21 victory on September 12, 2015 in Valparaiso.
 
Valpo, which leads the MVC with 2.48 blocks and 21.40 digs per set, has a balanced offensive attack that features four players averaging at least 2.60 kills per set. Senior middle hitter Taylor Graboski tops the Crusaders with 2.64 kills per set and she also adds 1.02 blocks per set.