Game Notes 

Live Video vs. Concordia Irvine | Live Stats vs. Concordia Irvine

Live Video vs. Pepperdine | Live Stats vs. Pepperdine

CHICAGO (March 7, 2018) - The sixth-ranked Ramblers head west for two challenging matches against nationally ranked foes as they visit No. 14 Concordia Irvine and No. 7 Pepperdine this week. Loyola is one of the hottest teams in the nation, winners of 13 of its last 14 matches, including each of the last five. Thursday's contest at Concordia Irvine begins a stretch that will see the Ramblers play seven of their final nine matches of the year on the road.  Loyola has posted an 8-2 record against nationally ranked teams, already surpassing its win total versus Top 15 teams from a year ago (5). It owns a pair of wins over top-5 teams this season in No. 3 BYU and No. 4 Ohio State, and has won seven in a row against Top 15 foes. 
 
Scouting Concordia Irvine
Prior to suffering consecutive setbacks at No. 2 Hawaii last weekend, No. 14 Concordia Irvine had won three straight, and four of its previous five, contests. The Eagles are just 6-4 at home this season, but have won each of their last two matches at CU Arena. Thursday's match will be the first-ever meeting between Loyola and Concordia Irvine.
 
Redshirt sophomore outside hitter Raymond Barsemian leads the Eagles with 3.31 kills per set, while junior middle blocker Hunter Howell contributes 1.80 kills and 1.08 blocks per set, while hitting a team-best .389 (106-18-226). Middle blocker Alec Krilis is a Chicago native and attended Lane Tech High School.
 
Scouting Pepperdine
Seventh-ranked Pepperdine has prevailed in six of its last seven contests heading into a March 7 match at No. 5 UCLA. The Waves have claimed each of their last three matches at home after suffering back-to-back losses to UC Irvine and UC Santa Barbara in early January.
 
The Ramblers and Waves are meeting for just the third time and Pepperdine owns a 2-0 edge in the series. Last season. Pepperdine rallied from a two-games-to-one deficit to notch an 18-25, 25-23, 19-25, 25-21, 15-11 victory in Chicago despite 14 kills from Ben Plaisted.
 
Junior outside hitter Michael Wexter, a native of New Lenox, Illinois, is the younger brother of Loyola assistant coach Connor Wexter.
 
Up Next
Loyola visits Lewis on March 17.