CHICAGO (August 25, 2021) - Loyola lifts the lid on the 2021 season by participating in the Golden Dome Invitational hosted by the University of Notre Dame this weekend. The Ramblers will be challenged right out of the chute, facing off with Oakland on Friday before matching up with a pair of nationally ranked teams in No. 16 Western Kentucky and No. 25 Notre Dame, on Saturday. 

In a unique and abbreviated 2020-21 season that was played in the spring, Loyola posted an 11-9 overall record and reached the finals of the Missouri Valley Conference Championship. Fourth-year Loyola head coach Amanda Berkley welcomes back five starters from last year's club, plus libero Grace Hinchman, who was an MVC All-Freshman pick in 2020-21 and ranked 16^th in the nation with 5.60 digs per set.

The Ramblers are after their second straight win in a season opener, coming off last season's thrilling five-set triumph over Valparaiso. The last time Loyola won season openers in consecutive campaigns was 2012 and 2013, when it took down Manhattan and Eastern Illinois, respectively.

For the first time in nearly two decades, Loyola has rattled off three consecutive winning seasons. The last time the Ramblers strung together four or more seasons with a record over .500 was 1997 through 2004 when they did so in eight straight campaigns. In addition, Loyola's 48 victories over the last three seasons are its most over a three-year span since 2004 through 2006 when it compiled 49 wins.

This weekend, Loyola will be looking for its first win over a nationally ranked foe since September 14, 2004, when it toppled No. 9 Illinois, 30-25, 30-24, 26-30, 28-30, 15-13 at Alumni Gym in Chicago.

Scouting Oakland

Oakland is coming off a 7-9 2020-21 campaign in which it dropped six of its final eight contests. The Golden Grizzlies, who stumbled in an exhibition match to Ferris State (3-1) last Saturday, are led by middle hitter Jamie Walling, who totaled 171 kills last season.

Scouting Western Kentucky

Sixteenth-ranked Western Kentucky had a magical 2020-21 season, reaching the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 before succumbing to second-ranked Kentucky. In posting a 23-1 record last season, WKU dropped just nine sets overall.

Loyola gave the Hilltoppers all they could handle in the 2019 season opener, dropping a closely contested five-set match. A dynamic tandem of senior middle hitter Lauren Matthews (3.96 kills per set, 1.22 blocks per set, .444 hitting percentage) and junior outside hitter Paige Briggs (3.68 kps, 3.48 dps) paces the WKU attack.

Scouting Notre Dame

The host Fighting Irish compiled a 15-4 overall mark during last year's abbreviated season and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Back to lead the way for Notre Dame is senior outside hitter and Chicago native Charley Niego, who racked up 3.94 kills and 2.89 digs per set in the spring. Junior outside hitter Caroline Meuth chipped in 2,89 kills, 1.70 digs and 0.97 blocks per set last season. The Fighting Irish have been a tough out at Purcell Pavilion where they have prevailed in 10 of their last 11 matches.

Up Next

Loyola hosts the Rambler Challenge next weekend (Sept. 3-4) when it welcomes Eastern Kentucky, SIU Edwardsville and Xavier to Gentile Arena for a round-robin tournament.