Loyola brings back all but one top player from last season’s team that went 7-11 in conference and 13-18 overall. The 2013 Ramblers—tied with Bradley for sixth in conference play—missed out on the MVC conference tournament because of a tie-breaker.
Last year’s team was new to the league and sophomore heavy. After starting out 3-7 in conference play, the team finished out the season on an up note, winning four of their last eight matches—including a 3-0 road win at #5 Illinois State and forcing conference runner up Northern Iowa to a fifth set in Cedar Rapids.
In 2014, the Ramblers will benefit from returning all but one player, another year of experience, and having seen the rest of the league at least once. Meanwhile, the top teams in the league have lost many players to graduation. Defending champ Wichita State lost the top player in the league in hitting percentage and two others ranking in the top 20. Missouri State lost three players in the top 25, including two in the top 10. Southern Illinois lost two of the top players in kills.
Northern Iowa has been the powerhouse of the league for more than a decade under coach Bobbi Petersen. She’s guided the Panthers to five regular season titles, seven conference tournament titles, and two NCAA Sweet 16 appearances– winning 20 or more matches in 12 of her 13 seasons as coach. The Panthers were undefeated in league play from 2009 to 2011, and even in somewhat of a rebuilding mode the past two seasons, they managed to go 15-3 in conference in both 2012 and 2013. Like Loyola, the Panthers lose only one top player to graduation, and given their history, coaching advantage, and returning roster, they’re the easy projection to win the conference.
The Ramblers have a chance to make a big move with a junior-heavy team and a couple of seniors in the starting lineup. The core of the 2014 Ramblers have been playing together for two years, and now have MVC experience. And there’s no telling how much confidence Loyola’s women’s squad might have gained from the men’s volleyball team winning the National Championship in May.
Here’s the Ramblermania prediction for the 2014 MVC women’s volleyball standings:
- Northern Iowa
- Loyola
- Southern Illinois
- Missouri State
- Illinois State
- Bradley
- Wichita State
- Indiana State
- Evansville
- Drake
The 2014 women’s volleyball season begins August 29 with the Delaware Invitational Tournament in Newark, Del. The first home match is against the Missouri State at Gentile Arena on Fri., Sept. 26 at 7:00 p.m., but Chicago area fans can check out the Ramblers when they play in the Wildcat Challenge at Northwestern University on Fri. and Sat., Sept. 12 and 13.
