Game Notes | Live Stats

CHICAGO (January 30, 2018) - Seventh-ranked Loyola, which has won its last four matches, dropping only two sets in that stretch, continues a nine-match homestand when it hosts No. 13 USC Saturday night. The Ramblers are 4-2 against nationally ranked foes this season and have won their last three outings versus teams in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division I-II Poll. Loyola has prevailed in eight of its last nine home nonconference outings. Loyola owns a 4-2 record versus nationally ranked teams this season and will be looking for its fifth win over a Top 15 squad Saturday night when it takes on No. 13 USC. Last season, the Ramblers compiled a 5-10 record versus teams in the AVCA Division I-II Poll. A year ago, Loyola went just 1-7 versus opponents ranked in the Top 10, but already this season are 2-2 against such foes. 
 
Scouting USC
USC has dropped each of its last five contests after winning its first three matches of 2018. The Trojans have played a grueling schedule thus far, with five matches versus teams that were ranked in the top 10 in the AVCA Division I-II Poll. Setter Gert Lisha is the cousin of former Loyola men's basketball player Glorind Lisha, who graduated last May.
 
Saturday's match is the fifth all-time between the Ramblers and Trojans and Loyola is still looking for its first win in the series. The last time the teams met, on January 4, 2014 at Gentile Arena, USC dealt Loyola its only loss of the season as the Ramblers went on to finish 29-1 and won the first of back-to-back NCAA championships.
 
Up Next
Loyola opens Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association play next Friday when it hosts Quincy.