Game Notes
Live Video vs. Stephen F. Austin | Live Stats vs. Stephen F. Austin
Live Video vs. Loyola Maryland | Live Stats vs. Loyola Maryland
Live Video vs. Montana State | Live Stats vs. Montana State
Live Video vs. Western Michigan | Live Stats vs. Western Michigan

CHICAGO (September 4, 2019) - Loyola returns home for its first outings at Gentile Arena in 2019 and the Ramblers have won four of their last six nonconference contests in Rogers Park. Last year Loyola took home the title at the Hampton Inn Rambler Challenge, not dropping a single set en route to sweeps of Furman, Georgia State and Marshall. The Ramblers have won nine of their last 13 matches versus non-league foes, with two of those setbacks coming in five sets.

In three matches at last weekend's Blue & Gold Tournament in Toledo, Loyola served up 26 total aces, for an average of 1.86 per set, a figure that leads the Missouri Valley Conference heading into this week's contests. Freshmen Addie Barnes and Sarah Murczek pace The Valley with 0.57 aces per set, while Maddy Moser ranks tied for third 0.50 aces per set. Loyola's 10 aces versus Western Kentucky were its most since September 8, 2018 (12 vs. Canisius).

Scouting Stephen F. Austin

A year after going 32-3 and reaching the NCAA tournament, the Ladyjacks are off to another strong start, winning the title at last week's SMU DoubleTree Invitational. Senior outside hitter Xariah WIlliams leads a balanced attack with 2.73 kills per set.

Scouting Loyola Maryland

Loyola Maryland has dropped its last two matches after opening the year with a five-set win over Furman. The Greyhounds, who went 14-16 last fall, are led by senior outside hitter Ann Ernst, a Chicago native who attended Whitney Young High School. Ernst averages 4.09 kills and adds 2.91 digs per set.

Scouting Montana State

Montana State also won its opener before stumbling in its last two outings and the Bobcats' roster also features a Chicago native in senior libero Allyssa Rizzo, who contributes 6.23 digs per set.

Scouting Western Michigan

Western Michigan brings an unblemished record into the weekend and pulled out two five-set victories last weekend in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Junior outside hitter Rachel Bontrager paces the Broncos' attack with 4.00 kills and 2.54 digs per set, while hitting a robust .389 (52-10-108). 

Up Next

Loyola heads west to compete in the Amy Svoboda Classic hosted by Air Force, September 13-14. The Ramblers open play September 13 versus Virginia Tech.