CHICAGO (August 31, 2022) - Loyola competes in another challenging tournament when it heads to Ann Arbor, Mich., for the Michigan Invitational, September 2 and 3. Five of the first six teams on the Ramblers' 2022 slate won 20 or more matches a year ago and all of them won at least 18 contests in 2021. Loyola is looking to capture its first tournament crown since claiming the Hampton Inn Rambler Challenge last September.

Kelsey Watson, who leads Loyola with 1.25 blocks per set and a .343 hitting percentage (16-4-35) this season, is hitting .347 (37-11-75) in her last seven matches versus non-conference opponents.

Junior libero Grace Hinchman recorded her 1,000th career dig in the Ramblers' five-set loss at Tennessee on August 26. She is the first Rambler since Maddy Moser did so in 2018 to record her 1,000th career dig.

When Loyola faces Michigan on September 3, it will be seeking its first win over a team from a Power conference since it upended Northwestern, 3-2, on September 20, 2019.

Since the start of the 2020-21 campaign, Loyola is 28-3 (.903) when winning the first set of a match. Last season, the Ramblers posted an 18-1 (.947) ledger in matches when they captured set one.

Loyola assistant coach Sondra Parys played at the University of Toledo from 2009-12, earning Mid-American Conference All-Freshman Team accolades in 2009. She racked up 899 kills over her four-year career and was part of the 2010 Rockets team that defeated No. 12 Michigan for the program's first victory over a nationally ranked opponent.

Scouting Morehead State

Morehead State, which won 20 matches a year ago, opened the 2022 campaign with a pair of victories last weekend at the UNC Asheville Invitational. Outside hitter Abby Hulsman, a 2020-21 Second Team All-OVC pick, is putting up 3.50 kills and 3.00 digs per set this season.

Scouting Toledo

The Rockets opened the season by capturing the title at the Webb-Burbridge Classic hosted by Arizona State last weekend behind the strong play of junior outside hitter Taylor Alt, who averaged 3.91 kills, 1.82 digs and 0.55 blocks per set. Junior opposite Jada Bouyer was named MVP of the tournament after contributing 2.91 kills per set, while hitting .344 (32-10-64). Toledo's win over Arizona State was its first over a Power 5 program since 2010.

Scouting Michigan

Michigan took all three matches to win the championship at the Lumberjack Invitational in Flagstaff, Ariz., last weekend as 2021 AVCA Honorable Mention All-America outside hitter Jess Mruzik picked up where she left off last season by totaling 4.10 kills and 3.60 digs per set, hitting at a .279 (41-12-104) clip. Senior middle blocker Jess Robinson owns a sizzling .568 (29-4-44) attack percentage through 10 sets this fall.

Up Next

Loyola faces its second nationally ranked opponent of the young season when it travels to No. 24 Marquette on September 6.