CHICAGO - Loyola Chicago opens its 2025 campaign this weekend at the WKU Invitational. The Ramblers will take on Drake, Western Kentucky, and Wright State over the three-game tournament.

Live stat links can be found at loyolaramblers.com, and the match against Western Kentucky will be streamed on ESPN+.

WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Friday, Aug. 29 • vs. Drake • 1 p.m. CT • Bowling Green, Ky.
Friday, Aug. 29 • at Western Kentucky • 7 p.m. CT • Bowling Green, Ky.
Saturday, Aug. 30 • vs. Wright State • 11 a.m. • Bowling Green, Ky.

QUICK HITS
• The Ramblers were tabbed third in the A-10 Preseason Poll ahead of 2025 play starting. Loyola is coming off a historic postseason run last season.
• Loyola claimed its second A-10 title after sweeping No. 18 Dayton. The Flyers hadn't lost to an A-10 team since the Ramblers won the 2022 championship, 3-1. It was also the first time Dayton has been swept since Sept. 30, 2022.
• The Ramblers carried their momentum to the NCAA tournament where they won their first ever NCAA tournament game with a sweep over No. 24 BYU. Loyola's historic run came to a close in the second round vs. No. 9 Purdue.
• Loyola returns three starters and 11 letterwinners, while adding four new faces.
• Ann Marie Remmes is back in the middle for the Ramblers, gearing up for her senior season. She had the third most kills last season with 251 and had a team-high 107 blocks.
• Sam Falk was steady in the libero position by the second half of the season, averaging 2.68 digs/set. She had at least 10 digs in 10 of the last 13 matches.
• Avary DeBlieck returns to the court after logging action in 107 sets last year. She totaled 168 kills and 97 blocks. She recorded at least five blocks in seven matches.
• Joining the Ramblers this year are freshmen Karli Molnau, Ava Hunter, and Leyna Nguyen. Loyola also added a grad transfer in Josie Halbleib.
• Halbleib started her career with a redshirt at Kansas State before playing three seasons at Missouri State. She totaled 341 assists, 76 kills, 68 digs, and 36 blocks for the Bears.
• Freshmen Hunter, Molnau, and Nguyen look to make their career debuts for the Ramblers.
• Head coach Amanda Berkley is in her eighth season at the helm. Her overall record with the Ramblers is 136-77.

SCOUTING OPPONENTS
Drake was tabbed third in the MVC Preseason Poll earlier this week after posting a 20-10 overall record last year. The Bulldogs took second in the regular season at 16-2 and fell in the MVC tournament to UIC.

Macy Daufeldt was selected to the preseason All-MVC team. Last season, Daufeldt was a co-Player of the Year, All-MVC first team, and AVCA All-America honorable mention. She led the Bulldogs with 484 kills and 34 aces. Defensively, she had 336 digs and 68 blocks, leading to 20 double-doubles.

Western Kentucky is the Conference USA preseason favorite after the poll was announced late last week. The Hilltoppers won the league last season after going undefeated in league play, 18-0. Overall, WKU finished at 28-7 on the year and lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to Minnesota, 3-1.

Callie Bauer, Alivia Skidmore, and Izzy Van De Wiele were tabbed to the preseason team. Bauer is coming off CUSA Setter of the Year honors. She ranked third nationally last season with 1,387 total assists.

Wright State is coming off a regular season title after postin a 16-2 finish in Horizon League play. The Raiders fell in the league's semifinal match to Green Bay, 3-2. Despite missing out on the NCAA Tournament, WSU made an appearance in the NIVC to play Bowling Green in the opening round. BGSU came away with the win, 3-1.

Mya Ayro returns as one of Wright State's top athletes from last season. She finished second with 366 kills and led the team with 3.39 kills per set. Ayro added 45 total blocks last year.

SERIES HISTORY
Loyola leads the all-time series vs. Drake, 17-11. The Ramblers and Bulldogs split their regular season series back in 2021.

WKU leads the all-time series, 3-2. The Hilltoppers have won the last three matches.

Loyola leads the all-time series vs. Wright State, 31-18. The Raiders swept the Ramblers in 2023, breaking up a three-match win streak Loyola held against them.