Game Notes
Live Stats vs. Southern Illinois
Live Video vs. Missouri State | Live Stats vs. Missouri State

CHICAGO (November 14, 2018) - Loyola heads into the final weekend of the regular season in control of its own destiny when it comes to earning a berth in next week's Missouri Valley Conference Championship in Springfield, Mo. The Ramblers, who travel to Southern Illinois and Missouri State this weekend, hold a one-game lead over Drake for the sixth and final spot in the league tournament. Loyola is looking to secure its third berth in the MVC Championship in the last four years. 
 
The Ramblers could finish as high as the No. 5 seed if they win both matches this weekend and Missouri State falls to Valparaiso. Should Drake win both matches this weekend and Loyola is knocked off by Missouri State, the Ramblers would be left out of the MVC Championship. 
 
Loyola has won six of the last seven meetings with Southern Illinois, including each of the last six. The Ramblers are 4-2 all-time against the Salukis in Carbondale and have captured each of the last four match-ups there. When Loyola bested Missouri State earlier this season, it was just the Ramblers' second win in 13 meetings versus the Bears. In Springfield, Loyola is 1-5 all-time versus Missouri State with the lone win coming on October 16, 2015, thanks to 13 kills, eight digs and five blocks from Gabi Maciagowski.
 
Scouting Southern Illinois
Southern Illinois has come up on the wrong end of the decision in 17 of its last 18 matches, including each of the last three. The Salukis' lone win in that 18-match stretch was a four-set victory over Indiana State November 2 in Carbondale. At Davies Gym, SIU is just 2-8 this season and has dropped eight of its last nine.
 
Senior middle blocker Patience Brown is averaging 2.00 kills per set and hitting a team-best .265 (198-62-513), while also pitching in 0.72 blocks per set. Junior middle hitter Lindsey Paulsen leads the Salukis with 1.00 blocks per set. 
 
Scouting Missouri State
A youthful Bears squad is beginning to hit its stride and has captured five of its last six contests and nine of its last 13. At Hammons Student Center, Missouri State is 7-3 this year and has won two straight. 
 
Freshman Amelia Flynn is a leading candidate for MVC Freshman of the Year accolades and leads the way for Missouri State with 3.40 kills per set, while also contributing 2.75 digs per set. 
 
Up Next
The top six teams qualify for the MVC Championship, which will be held November 22-24 in Springfield, Mo.