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

CHICAGO (October 20, 2019) - Loyola closes out its first trip through the Missouri Valley schedule Monday when it faces conference co-leader UNI before opening the back nine of the league slate at Valparaiso Friday. The Ramblers enter the week having won 11 of their last 13 contests and seven of their last eight and bring a four-match win streak at Gentile Arena into Monday's showdown with perennial league power UNI. The Ramblers' 7-1 mark is their best through eight league games since opening Horizon League play with an identical 7-1 ledger in 2002. Loyola won the Horizon League regular-season crown that year and finished with a 27-5 overall record. The Ramblers have not posted a winning record in conference play since 2005 when they went 8-6 in the Horizon League.

Second-year Loyola coach Amanda Berkley is one of the frontrunners for MVC Coach of the Year accolades this fall. With 30 wins already to her credit, Berkley has recorded the most victories by a Loyola head coach in his/her first two seasons since Liz Tortorello-Nelson won 38 contests in 1997 and 1998.

Scouting UNI

UNI has captured 10 of its last 12 outings overall and rebounded from a five-set loss to Illinois State by rolling past Drake in three sets (25-18, 27-25, 26-24) Friday night. Illinois State has handed both the Panthers and the Ramblers their lone setback in Valley competition this fall. Senior outside hitter Karlie Taylor a Preseason All-MVC pick, is one of the top offensive players in the circuit and is putting up a league-best 4.62 kills per set and is adding 3.34 digs per set. Loyola is still looking for its first-ever win against UNI and has dropped each of the previous 18 meetings between the programs, including all eight contests played in Chicago.

Scouting Valparaiso

Valparaiso is just 3-8 in the last 11 contests and had a three-match win streak snapped when it suffered a pair of defeats on the road last weekend at Bradley (3-0) and Illinois State (3-1). The Crusaders have played only three home matches this fall and are 2-1 at the Athletics-Recreation Center, including an unblemished 2-0 in Valley action. Junior middle hitter Peyton McCarthy contributes a team-high 2.95 kills per set and adds 0.78 blocks per set, while hitting .282 (230-86-511). Loyola is 10-8 all-time in Valparaiso, but has stumbled in each of its last two trips there since a five-set win on October 19, 2012. 

Up Next

Loyola opens up the final month of the regular season by hosting Evansville (Nov. 1) and Indiana State (Nov. 2) next weekend.