LEADING OFF
The 2024 campaign takes off this weekend at the Western Michigan Invite with a three-game slate for Loyola Chicago. The Ramblers will see Clemson, Western Michigan, and LMU beginning Friday. Loyola's game with Western Michigan on Saturday at 5 p.m. will be streamed via WMU's website for free. Live stats will be available for all matches.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Friday, Aug. 30 • vs. Clemson • 2 p.m. CT
Saturday, Aug. 31 • at Western Michigan • 5 p.m. CT
Sunday, Sept. 1• vs. LMU • 10 a.m. CT
QUICK HITS
• The Ramblers were tabbed second in the Atlantic 10 Preseason Poll earlier this week. Loyola finished behind reigning champs, Dayton, who earned all 10 first-place votes.
• Loyola claimed second-place in the regular season with a 16-2 finish. The Ramblers made it to the A-10 championship match for the second consecutive year
• The back-to-back Atlantic 10 Setter of the Year,
Bree Borum, is Loyola lone returning starter. She eclipsed 2,000 career assists last season, which is highlighted by a 49-assist outing at Purdue. Borum tallied 18 double-doubles and three triple-doubles.
• Also returning to the court for the Ramblers are
Olivia Lovett and
Esma Ajanovic. Lovett saw most of her action at libero last season and finished fourth on the team in digs (244) and second in assists (71).
• Ajanovic played in 83 sets, totaling 13 kills and 33 digs.
• Loyola added nine newcomers during the off season, including six freshmen and three transfers.
Emma Henry came via Oklahoma,
Ann Marie Remmes from Creighton, and
Marta Cvitkovic from South Florida.
• Henry racked up 40 assists in Oklahoma's win over Tulsa to set a personal best last season.
• Remmes played two seasons with the Bluejays. Last year, she ranked 16th in the Big East in hitting percentage (.260) and set a career-high eight kills twice.
• Cvitkovic appeared in over 100 matches with the Bulls and recorded over 1,000 career kills during her tenure.
•
Kaitlyn Burke,
Sam Falk,
Jae Fitting,
Kate Maley,
Chloe Morgan, and
Claire Van Den Herik look to make their career debuts.
• Head coach
Amanda Berkley enters her sixth season at the helm. Her overall record with the Ramblers is 114-65.
SCOUTING CLEMSON
The Tigers finished last season with a 19-14 overall record and an 8-10 finish in the ACC. They are coming off back-to-back postseason appearances, including a trip to the NIVC Great Eight last year. Clemson returns 15 players and added seven newcomers in the off season.
Azyah Dailey led Clemson with 248 kills last season, which included eight double-digit kill performances on the court. Devan Taylor led the ACC in digs the previous two seasons. The Spring, Texas native led the team in multiple categories last season with 121 sets played, 447 digs and 3.69 digs per set.
SERIES HISTORY
The Ramblers trail in the all-time series, 2-0. The last time Loyola and Clemson met was in 2009 when the Tigers won, 3-0.
SCOUTING WESTERN MICHIGAN
Western Michigan was tabbed the MAC preseason favorite after going 31-3 overall and 18-0 in league play last season, earning them regular season and tournament titles for the year. The Broncos posted a perfect home record of 14-0 and look to continue their home success this weekend in the opening tournament.
WMU returns five of it's six All-MAC honorees from the 2023 roster. Four of them were named to the Preseason All-MAC squad. Andelyn Simkins in the reigning Defensive Player of the Year and looks to defend her accolade starting this Friday. She was a seven-time Defensive Player of the Week and ranked 17th nationally with 592 digs.
SERIES HISTORY
WMU holds a 6-2 lead in the all-time series. Loyola dropped a 3-1 decision in 2019 in the last meeting.
SCOUTING LMU
LMU was projected to finish third in the WCC preseason poll earlier this week. The Lions finished the 2023 campaign at 20-6 overall and 13-3 in conference action.
Three Lions were tabbed to the WCC Preseason Team. Sam Hastings was a first team selection last year and finished with 100 assists and 358 digs. Mia Schafer wrapped up 2023 with 88 sets played, recording four kills, 390 aces, 402 assists, and 128 digs. Sophia Meyers earns the honors after a remarkable 2023 season at Portland State, She set a single-season program record and ranked 30th in the NCAA with 0.47 aces per set. She posted 17 double-doubles and finished with an All-Big Sky First Team honor.
SERIES HISTORY
This is the first contest between Loyola and LMU.
