CHICAGO -- The Loyola University Chicago women's volleyball team opens the 2023 season this weekend at the Purdue Reamer Club Xtra Special Premier, hosted by Purdue. Eighteenth-ranked Purdue will serve as the tournament hosts, with #16 Creighton and Duke joining the Ramblers in the field.
 
Loyola will open its season on Friday at 3 p.m. (CT) against the Bluejays before rounding out the weekend against the Blue Devils (8/26 - 5 p.m.) and the Boilermakers (8/27 - 2 p.m.). The first and final match of the weekend for Loyola will be streamed on BTN+.
 
The Ramblers will look to defend its A-10 title as Loyola was selected to repeat as Atlantic 10 Conference Champions in the preseason poll. Loyola secured seven of the 10 first-place votes to sit atop the poll with 97 total points. Dayton, Loyola's opponent in last year's conference championship match, was picked to finish second (two first-place votes). Davidson picked up the 10th and final first-place ballot to secure third place in the preseason poll.
 
The Ramblers have scheduled an extremely difficult non-conference schedule, with three nationally ranked opponents on the schedule and a fourth opponent receiving votes in the latest AVCA polls. Two opponents this weekend appear in the top 25, with Creighton starting the year as the No. 16 team in the country while Purdue checked in at No. 18. Loyola's home opener will be against Pittsburgh, a national semifinalist a year ago and tied in the No. 5 position in the preseason poll. Tennessee, who will also be in town during the Ramblers first weekend inside Gentile Arena, is currently receiving votes in the poll.