Game Notes

CHICAGO (September 11, 2019) - Loyola heads back on the road this weekend as it visits the Rockies to compete in the Amy Svoboda Memorial Classic hosted by the United States Air Force Academy. The Ramblers have won two of their last three contests and this weekend's outings will be a homecoming for senior outside hitter Amanda Cushen, who is a native of Colorado Springs.

Loyola has routinely started three first-years through the first two weeks of the season and has received tremendous production from those rookies. In fact, 42 percent of the Ramblers' kills this season have come via freshmen, with Addie Barnes (81 kills) and Taylor Venuto (75 kills) leading the way. Both Barnes and Venuto were named to the Hampton Inn Rambler Challenge All-Tournament Team last weekend.

Barnes has quickly established herself as a threat and has notched three double-doubles and has four matches with double-figure kills this season. Over the last two contests, the outside hitter is hitting at a .339 (28-8-59) clip and averaging 4.00 kills and 2.43 digs per set. Barnes leads the team with 15 service aces and her 17 kills versus Western Michigan last week were the most by a Loyola freshman since Elle Van Grinsven in 2017 (19).
 

Scouting Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech has alternated losses and wins but enters the weekend having won two of its last three outings. The Hokies, who are 3-1 on neutral floors this year, are led by junior middle blocker Marisa Cerchio, who averaged a team-best 3.88 kills per set.

Scouting UC Irvine

The Anteaters have played a grueling early season schedule and all five of their losses have come at the hands of Power 5 conference foes. UC Irvine is 0-2 on neutral courts this fall and sophomore Abby Marjama spearheads the offensive attack with 2.85 kills per set. Last week, she posted double-doubles versus both North Carolina (18 kills, 13 digs) and UNLV (13 kills, 10 digs). 

Scouting Air Force

Air Force is coming off a solid showing at the ORU Invitational, where it went 2-1 last week, with the only setback a five-set loss to Illinois State. A year ago, the Falcons posted an 11-6 record at home and were 3-1 at the Amy Svoboda Memorial Classic. Sophomore outside hitter Bailey Keith paces Air Force with 3.00 kills per set.

Up Next

Loyola returns to the Windy City and will compete in the Chicago Cup against city rivals DePaul, UIC and Northwestern, September 20-21 at DePaul.