Game Notes | Live Video vs. Valparaiso | Live Stats vs. Valparaiso

CHICAGO (October 3, 2018) - Loyola opens up a challenging three-match road trip Friday night when it makes the short trek east to battle Valparaiso. The Ramblers opened Missouri Valley Conference play with three straight wins, marking their best league since 2004 when still a member of the Horizon League, but have dropped their last two contests entering this week's action. The Ramblers have lost back-to-back matches twice previously this season, but have not allowed the slide to go further than that. After dropping the first two contests of 2018, Loyola reeled off eight straight victories, its longest winning streak since 2015. Another brief two-match slip-up was followed by a three-match winning streak that was snapped with last weekend's losses to UNI and Drake. Senior outside hitter/right side Gabi Maciagowski is closing in on a career milestone as she enters this weekend's match at Valparaiso. The Toronto native needs eight kills to become the first Rambler to reach the 1,000-kill plateau since Morgan Reardon in 2016.

Scouting Valparaiso

Valparaiso had an 11-match winning streak halted with a 20-25, 25-19, 21-25, 23-25 loss to UNI last Saturday in Indiana. Despite the setback, the Crusaders have captured 17 of their last 19 matches after dropping the season opener to Fresno State. With 13 more matches left in the regular season, Valpo has already equaled its win total (17) from all of 2017.

Valpo is 5-1 at the Athletics-Recreation Center this season and the Ramblers are seeking their first win in that venue since 2015. Dating back to last season, the Crusaders are 7-2 in their last nine matches on their home court.

A balanced offensive attack has been a key to the Crusaders' success this season and redshirt senior outside hitter Allison Ketcham leads the way with a team-best 2.75 kills per set, while also producing 3.30 digs per set. Senior middle hitter Sydney Bronner pitches in 1.87 kills and 0.72 blocks per set, and is hitting .307 (129-36-303).

Up Next

Loyola visits Bradley (Oct. 12) and Illinois State (Oct. 13) next weekend.