Inaugural issue!

Inside:Fall Sport previews

LoyolA'S IMPRESSIVE 2013-14 NUMBERS

Alumni Profile:Colleen Wehrley '03

September 2014

Sophomore Surge!Sophomore Morgan Reardon leads Loyola into its sophomore season in the Missouri Valley Conference

Return of the ChampionsIn front of a partisan sold out crowd in Gentile Arena, the men’s volleyball team capped a 29-1 season with a 3-1 victory over Stanford, giving Loyola its second national championship in school history. The team was honored by the entire campus community at the annual picnic following the Mass of the Holy Spirit on August 24.

Teeing it Up with the RamblersMore than 220 golfers hit the links at Harborside International Golf Center on a beautiful day in August for the 29th Annual Loyola Athletics Golf Outing. The foursome of Joe Kilroy, Casey Brennan, Marty Halston, and Tim Roti won the opportunity to golf with head men’s basketball coach Porter Moser.

Ramblers in the CommunityLoyola women’s basketball players Ryaen Johnson and Bailey Farley volunteer with area students at a Kraft “Hoops For Hope” event in July. The Ramblers open at home against Georgia Tech on November 14 at 5pm.

IntroducIng the rambler report ramblIngs

Loyola Athletics Debuts New Digital MagazineA popular topic of conversation around the athletic department office is determining the best way to communicate and share information with our most faithful supporters. Hosting the NCAA Men’s Volleyball Championships last spring was a great reminder of the pride and enthusiasm our alumni, fans, and students have for Loyola Athletics. Our goal is to provide you with information about our teams and keep you updated on the happenings in our department.

We are happy to introduce the Rambler Report, the new digital magazine of Loyola Athletics. This new monthly publication, which replaces the Inside the Locker Room newsletter, will be emailed to all active Rambler Varsity Club members on the first

Wednesday of every month during the academic year. In the Rambler Report, you’ll find updates on all our teams, feature articles on current student-athletes and staff members, profiles of former student-athletes, and other Loyola Athletics highlights.

The Rambler Report is supported by all devices and platforms for a great reading experience on either mobile or desktop. Remember your subscription remains free as long as you’re an active member of the Rambler Varsity Club. We’re excited about the possibilities of the Rambler Report and look forward to bringing it to you each month!

Loyola Posts Impressive Numbers in 2013-14 CampaignThe 2013-14 academic year was historic for Loyola Athletics. The year saw the Ramblers compete in its inaugural season in the Missouri Valley Conference and capture its first NCAA national championship since 1963. Take a look back at the impressive numbers Loyola student-athletes compiled along the way.

40 – All-Conference Scholar-Athlete Selections

111 – Ramblers Appeared on Missouri Valley Academic Honor Roll

21 - All-Conference Team Selections

14 – Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Week selections

5 – Teams earned NCAA public recognition award for posting perfect APR scores

5 - All-Americans

3.23 – Cumulative Student-Athlete GPA

1 – NCAA National Championship

1,200 - Community Service Hours completed by Loyola student-athletes

114 – Loyola’s NACDA Director’s Cup Ranking, highest in school history and highest among all MVC schools in 2013-14

Senior Joe Crisman

Senior Sam Penzenstadler

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Women’s soccer prevIeW men’s soccer prevIeW

The Loyola women’s soccer team defied program expectations in 2013 by posting a third-place Missouri Valley Conference finish after being pegged as a last-place team in the preseason conference poll. The Ramblers will not fly under any radar this season as they start the season as the third-place pick in the conference preseason poll behind Illinois State and Indiana State.

Fourth-year head coach Barry Bimbi welcomes back nine starters from 2013, highlighted by a quartet of All-MVC selections in defenders Shelby Koch, Hailey Merrill, and Mariah Vichich, along with goalkeeper Monica Gonyo. A talented group of nine newcomers also joins the squad.

Gonyo enters the season with 19 career shutouts, just 2.5 shy of former Rambler Emily Peick for the top spot on Loyola’s career shutouts leaderboard. The New Berlin, Wis. native led the conference in clean sheets (6) and saves (102) last season.

Sophomore Hailey Merrill, one of only four unanimous selections to the preseason All-Conference team, will be looking to build on a breakout freshman campaign. The Edina, Minn. native was a second team All-Conference selection last year and also landed on the All-Freshman team. Merrill is joined by Vichich, Koch, Valerie Gonyo, and Sammy Gage on College Sports Madness’ Preseason All-Valley teams.

Like the men, the women’s program has built a strong schedule for the 2014 season. The Ramblers will be challenged by five 2013 NCAA tournament teams – Milwaukee, Marquette, Western Michigan, DePaul, and Illinois State.

“I’m very excited about the way the schedule is laid out with the second and third weekends having four straight home games,” said Bimbi. “This will be great for our families, friends, and fans as we look to build momentum heading into two difficult road games at New Mexico and DePaul. I think this schedule will prepare us to be playing our best soccer in October and for success in the Valley.”

August Results: (2-2)Aug. 22 – Marquette, L 3-0Aug. 24 – Fairleigh Dickinson, W 3-1Aug. 29 – Western Illinois, W 4-0Aug. 31 – Arizona State, L 3-1

Upcoming Schedule:Sept. 5 – vs. Western Michigan, 5pmSept. 7 – vs. Green Bay, 4pm#Sept. 12 - @New Mexico, 8pmSept. 14 - @DePaul, 1pmSept. 18 – vs. Milwaukee, 7pmSept. 21 - @IPFW, 2:30pmSept. 26 - @Indiana State, 6pmSept. 28 - @UIC, 7pm

#@Northwestern

In his second year at the head of the Loyola bench, head men’s soccer coach Neil Jones returns seven starters and 15 letterwinners from last year’s 6-11-2 squad. The group, which also includes 11 newcomers, will face a challenging 2014 schedule that features four NCAA tournament teams from 2013.

”We are extremely excited about the quality of our 2014 schedule,” Jones said. “As is demonstrated with four Big Ten and two Big East opponents, on top of the ever challenging Missouri Valley Conference slate, we are committed to playing a top notch non-conference schedule each year, which in turn puts us in a great position to compete for a Valley title on an annual basis.”

The squad has been pegged to finish sixth in the conference preseason poll after a fifth-place finish in its first Missouri Valley season in 2013. Missouri State, the defending regular season champions, was tabbed as the top team in conference. The Valley finished the 2013 season with a league RPI of No. 11, including three teams in the top-100. The non-conference slate is highlighted by visits from Dayton and Northwestern, as

well as trips to #10 Michigan State and Wisconsin.

Leadership for the Ramblers is set to be provided by senior forward Brian Bement, a preseason all-conference team selection and Honorable Mention honoree a year ago, who has developed into one of Loyola’s top offensive threats. The Waterloo, Ill. native led the Ramblers last season with eight goals and earned Offensive Player of the Week honors in October, becoming the first player in Loyola men’s soccer history to receive a weekly conference award.

Junior midfielder Ryan Howe and sophomore defender Kirill Likhovid are the other returning 2013 award honorees, earning Honorable Mention and All-Freshman team nods respectively. Bement, Howe, and junior forward Jake Savino were all tabbed on College Sports Madness’ Preseason All-Missouri Valley Conference teams.

“We made a lot of progress with this team in the spring and saw some positive results against Northwestern and UIC,” said Jones. “We entered the Valley last year very green and not really knowing what to expect. Now we have a better idea and we’re very excited heading into the 2014 season.”

August Results (1-0):Aug. 30 – Dayton, W 2-0

Upcoming Schedule:Sept. 5 – vs. Western Michigan, 7:30pmSept. 7 – vs. Utah Valley, 2pm#Sept. 14 - @Michigan State, 1:30pmSept. 20 - @Butler, 12pmSept. 23 - @Valparaiso, 7:30pmSept. 27 – vs. Bradley, 7pm

#@Northwestern

Sophomore Hailey Merrill Senior Brian Bement

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Women’s volleyball prevIeW golf and cross country prevIeWs

While many Missouri Valley schools waved goodbye to some of the conference’s best players after the 2013 season, Loyola welcomes back its entire starting lineup plus its libero in 2014. All told, 10 of the 13 members of the First Team All-MVC squad last season have graduated, leaving the Ramblers in good position, with their talent and experience, to make a move up the standings after their seventh-place finish a year ago.

Highlighting the returners for fourth-year head coach Chris Muscat is sophomore outside hitter Morgan Reardon, a preseason All-Missouri Valley Conference team selection. Reardon was in the midst of a terrific freshman season last year before being derailed by a leg injury. Despite missing 14 matches, the Joliet native was named MVC Freshman of the Week three times and led the team in kills with 213.

Senior right-side hitter Laura Purcell came on strong at the end of the 2013 season, earning a place on the conference’s second team. Purcell has accumulated 770 career kills, tops among active Ramblers, and enters the season with a chance to join Loyola’s 1000-career kill club. Fellow senior Libby Bresser, a three-year starter for the Ramblers, led the squad in blocks and hitting percentage a year ago and will be counted on to provide significant contributions as well.

Although the roster looks very similar for the Ramblers as it did a year ago, Muscat welcomes two new assistant coaches to the bench in 2014. Former head men’s coach at Juniata (PA), Kevin Moore, and Lauren Van Orden, a former national champion at UCLA, join the staff.

Loyola’s non-conference schedule sees it travel east to the Delaware Invitational, west for an invitational hosted by perennial Pac-12 power Arizona, and a short trip north for the Wildcat Challenge in Evanston.

“We are very excited about the 2014 schedule,” said Muscat. “It is one that will certainly challenge this veteran squad and provide some key non-conference opportunities against potential conference champions and high RPI programs. The conference season is packed with great matches and now that we are familiar with the travel and playing styles, we are ready to compete for a Missouri Valley championship.”

The Ramblers were picked to finish sixth in the Missouri Valley Conference preseason poll, with Wichita State

tabbed in the top spot. Loyola opens its home schedule the weekend of September 26-27 when it battles Missouri State and the Shockers at Genitle Arena.

August Results (2-1):Aug. 29 – Rhode Island, L 3-0Aug. 30 – Delaware, W 3-2Aug. 30 – Albany, W 3-0

Upcoming Schedule:Sept. 5 – vs. Cal State Northridge, 2:30pm*Sept. 5 – vs. Arizona, 9pm*Sept. 6 – vs. Alabama State, 5:30pm*Sept. 12 – vs. Virginia, 10am#Sept. 12 – vs. Northwestern, 7pm#Sept. 13 – vs. Youngstown State, 4:30pm#Sept. 19 - @Northern Iowa, 7pmSept. 20 - @Drake, 7pmSept. 26 – vs. Missouri State, 7pmSept. 27 – vs. Wichita State, 7pm

*Arizona Invitational @Arizona#Wildcat Challenge @Northwestern

Golf PreviewUnder the direction of second year Director of Golf Kyle Stefan, the Loyola men’s and women’s golf programs are set to participate in a fall schedule featuring six events each, including a pair of home meets on the men’s side and one for the women’s squad.

“Our kids are excited to get the season started and I like how the fall schedule sets up,” commented Stefan. “We are hosting events at three places that mean so much to our program. Whistling Straits will provide a major championship experience. Evanston Golf Club has hosted major collegiate events and we are very grateful for the playing and practice opportunities that we have there. Flossmoor is a tremendous venue to host at having recently hosted the Western Junior Amateur to rave reviews.”

Led by senior Nick Dennis, the men’s team returns seven letterwinners in 2014-15. Dennis, an All-Missouri Valley Conference selection, enjoyed a fantastic junior campaign, claiming medalist honors at the Cleveland State Invitational and finishing the year with the lowest stroke average on the team (73.8). The women will have to replace production after graduating four seniors last spring. Sophomore Logan Willis, who owned the third-best stroke average (79.9) on the team last season, leads a group of five returners along with three incoming recruits.

“We have a relatively young women’s team after losing four seniors, and we will be tested early at the Redbird Invite, a great conference event,” said Stefan. “We cap the fall off with a title defense at Evansville, and it will be really exciting to see how quickly we can progress as a team.”

Men's Upcoming Schedule:Sept. 1-2 – Whistling Straits Intercollegiate, Kohler, WISept. 14-15 – D.A. Weibring Intercollegiate, Normal, ILSept. 29-30 – Cleveland State Invitational, Aurora, OH

Women's Upcoming Schedule:Sept. 1 – Windy City Shootout, Lemont, ILSept. 7-8 – Redbird Invitational, Normal, ILSept. 21-22 – Loyola Fall Invitational, Flossmoor, IL

Cross Country PreviewThe Loyola cross country program saw both its men’s and women’s squads place in the top half of the Missouri Valley Conference last season and are pegged to finish in the top half again in its second year in the Valley.

The Rambler men return six of seven runners from last year’s squad that finished runner-up at the Missouri Valley Conference Championships. Senior Sam Penzenstadler looks to lead the experienced squad after placing third at last year’s conference meet. The Oshkosh, Wisconsin native is coming off of a spectacular track and field season, capped by a third-place finish in the 1,500m at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Senior Andrew Fenske also returns for the Ramblers after placing ninth at last year’s conference meet, while three freshmen will join the team this fall.

The Rambler women rank fourth after placing fourth at last year’s Missouri Valley Conference Championships. Junior Sydney Stuenkel led the squad all season, clocking the team’s fastest 5K and 6K times of the season, and finished in 11th place at the conference championships. The St. Charles, Illinois native will be joined by four members of last year’s championship squad, as well as six incoming freshmen.

“We are looking forward to the season,” said Hasenbank. “We have put together a very challenging schedule. We will open at Wisconsin again this year. Of course the Notre Dame Invitational and the Pre-Nationals are very competitive events. We will also travel to Illinois State for a smaller event on a great course. Overall, the schedule should have both teams prepared for the MVC and the NCAA Midwest Regional meet.”

upcoming cross country Schedule:Sept. 5 – Badger Season Opener, Madison, WISept. 12 – Illinois State Invite, Normal, IL Sept. 26 – College of DuPage Invitational, Warrenville, ILOct. 3 – Notre Dame Invitational, Notre Dame, IN

Senior Nick Dennis

Senior Laura Purcell

Junior Sydney Stuenkel

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rambler varsIty club profIle

Rambler Alumni Profile: Colleen Wehrley (BS ’03)

Hometown: Oak Park, IL

Why I chose Loyola: Both of my parents attended Loyola and I loved the family ties. I also was recruited to run Cross Country and Track. We had a phenomenal recruiting class and I was thrilled to be a part of the team Coach Marc Burns referred to as the “pioneers for the future of the LUXC, T&F program!” I am still so proud today seeing the current team push through boundaries and barriers to achieve so many accolades in the Missouri Valley and NCAA!

Favorite Loyola Athletics moment as a student: In my last year as a Rambler, I still had not achieved one big goal - to break the five-minute mile indoors. I had so many teammates who knew I wanted to break five and they lined the track yelling their support at a race that winter in Indiana. With a lap to go I knew it would be close and I pushed with every ounce of energy I had. As soon as I crossed the finish line, Coach Burns picked me up and swung me around to celebrate and my teammates ran up to congratulate me. I ran 4:54 and missed the school record by just 0.6 seconds. It was a great moment.

Favorite Loyola Athletics moment as an alumna: My very first alum memory would be when our Men’s Cross Country program qualified for NCAA Nationals for the first time in team history in 2005. I took my then 8 month old son, Liam, and we went to the meet to cheer them on at Nationals. We were all over that course, cheering loudly!

Another favorite moment was being able to be at Arch Madness this past March. When those guys won their first round game with the buzzer beater, the fans went wild up in the stands and it didn’t end there! We cheered and celebrated together - hundreds of us - for the entire bus ride back to the hotel and in the lobby as the team returned! It is an experience our family will never forget.

How my time as a Loyola Student-Athlete prepared me for life after graduation: Cross Country and Track are unique in that we very rarely win our races. We learn to gauge our progress and success by setting personal goals and then making a plan to achieve them. Learning this skill athletically helped me to apply it to my academic life at Loyola.

I continue to set goals in all aspects of my life today, not only for my career but also for personal achievement and within our family. I love to measure successes, making changes where necessary in order to continually improve.

Why I Give Back: As my time at Loyola creeps further away, I find myself supporting Loyola Athletics more every year. In order for our athletes to compete and perform at a high level, they need both verbal and financial support. I was blessed to be able to travel all over the country to compete for Loyola as a collegian. I am thrilled to give back so that our current and future Ramblers can have similar

opportunities.

It is not just the running programs I support. We have become men’s basketball season ticket holders and we saw Men’s Volleyball play multiple times including when they beat Penn State to make it to the NCAA Final! I am looking forward to continuing to expand our support. I had my time to leave my mark as a Rambler and now I want to give others an opportunity to do the same. These are memories, friendships and habits they will hold onto for a lifetime. GO RAMBLERS!!

Rambler Report • September 2014 • Page 14

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