CHICAGO (July 20, 2021) – Ava Bieneman (Geneseo, Ill./Geneseo/SIU Edwardsville), who played the 2021 season at SIU Edwardsville, has transferred to Loyola University Chicago and been added to the Ramblers' softball roster for the 2022 campaign, head coach Alicia Abbott announced today. The utility player had a sensational rookie year last spring, earning National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Third Team All-Mideast Region, Second Team All-Ohio Valley Conference and OVC All-Newcomer Team recognition.
 
"Ava adds speed and experience to both our lineup and the outfield," Abbott said. "She's coming off an incredibly successful freshman campaign that we're looking forward to building upon. We're excited to have her join our already hard-working Ramblers to bring us one step closer to a Missouri Valley Conference championship"
 
Bieneman appeared in and started 33 contests for SIU Edwardsville in 2021 and led the Cougars with a .396 (38-for-96) batting average and a .429 on-base percentage. Of her 38 hits, only one went for extra bases, and the fleet-footed left-handed hitter swiped 14 bases. She notched two or more hits on nine occasions, including a trio of three-hit performances and a four-hit effort.
 
A two-time all-state infielder at Geneseo High School, Bieneman, who will have three seasons of eligibility remaining at Loyola, was also a standout tennis player in high school.
 
Loyola is coming off a 2021 season in which it recorded its first Missouri Valley Conference Championship victory since 2017. The Ramblers will return seven starters in 2022, including MVC Defensive Player of the Year and Second Team All-MVC shortstop Madison Ebeling. Rising senior righthander Sydney Ruggles, who also was a Second Team All-MVC pick in 2021, will anchor the pitching staff.