rambler report - november 2015

loyola basketballpreview issue

NOVEMBER 2015

inside:men look to build on momentum, women look for bounce back

meet the basketball newcomers

kinane, dobrowolski enter loyola record books

In a 2-0 victory over Northwestern last week, senior Tim Dobrowolski recorded his ninth shutout of the season and 23rd of his storied career, the most in Rambler history. Dobrowolski passed Brian Byrne (2007-08), who previously held the mark. The squad wraps up the regular season Saturday at conference-leader SIUE.

That's Mine

she's digging it Senior Stephanie Kinane entered the season needing 229 digs to surpass

former Rambler Ann Deelo on the career digs list at Loyola. Kinane claimed the top spot in the record books when she

recorded 22 digs in a victory against Missouri State. The libero currently sits at 317 digs on the year and 1,831 all-time.

mo brosFor the fourth consecutive year, the Mens Volleyball team is participating in Movember by attempting to grow mustaches in the month of November to raise awareness and funds for mens health and prostate cancer research. The team has raised nearly $15,000 for the cause since joining the movement in 2012. For more information, visit the Mens Volleyball page on loyolaramblers.com.

Mens BasketBall Preview

Rambler Report November 2015 Page 8

A year ago this time, the Loyola mens basketball team was picked in the preseason conference poll to finish dead last in the Missouri Valley Conference. Instead, the Ramblers became one of the surprises of the league winning 24 games, reaching the conference tournament semifinals with the most lopsided victory in Arch Madness history, and capping the season with a College Basketball Invitational championship.Surprise will not be a factor in 2015-16 as Loyola enters its third season in the Valley with a deep and talented roster that includes eight of the top nine scorers from last season. The Ramblers were pegged to finish fifth this time around in the preseason poll, but Loyola has its sights set much higher.

back court is the backboneThe Ramblers boast a quartet of veteran guards this season, including seniors Devon Turk, Jeff White, Earl Peterson, and junior Milton Doyle. Recognized as Honorable Mention All-MVC, Doyle is healthy and primed for a successful season after injuries robbed him of 12 games last year. With the play-making guard in the lineup last season, the Ramblers were 19-6 with four of those losses coming against ranked opponents.

The sharpshooting Turk already holds Loyolas top spot for career three-pointers made with 207 and continues to make tremendous strides to the defensive and rebounding side of his game. Peterson blossomed down the stretch last year, ending the season with a 8.7 points per game scoring average and the CBI tournament Most Valuable Player award.

Sophomore Ben Richardson, a 12-game starter in his first year as a Rambler, and newcomer Tyson Smith give head coach Porter Moser a bevy of talented guards to mix into the rotation.

big men with big shoes to fillIts no secret the Ramblers were one of the smallest teams in the league a season ago, making up for its lack of height with long, athletic forwards like Montel James and Donte Ingram. However, Loyola loses the steady production of graduated forward Christian Thomas, who finished his Rambler career as one of 10 players in Loyola history with at least 1,300 points and 600 rebounds. James, coming off a season averaging 9.4 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, will be counted on to carry a heavy load down low. Ingram put together a solid freshman campaign, showing the ability to clean the glass (3.1 rpg) and hit shots from the perimeter (37% from beyond the arc). Maurice Kirby, another Coffeyville Community College transfer, and sophomore Julius Rajala give Moser a pair of 69 bodies to rotate down low, along with 67 freshman Pernell Adgei.

schedule poses tough challengesBefore Loyola gets to the grueling, 18-game Missouri Valley Conference gauntlet, the Ramblers will be tested with a strong non-conference schedule. Toledo, Creighton, and Cleveland State make visits to Gentile Arena, while difficult road trips to New Mexico and Notre Dame lay ahead. When the Ramblers head to South Bend, it will be the first time the schools have met since the 2000-01 season.Wichita State enters the season ranked No. 10 in the AP preseason poll and is poised to once again be positioned at the top of the Missouri Valley Conference. Evansville, Illinois State, Northern Iowa and Loyola round out the top five in the Valley preseason poll and will look to topple the Shockers from their perch.

building on the momentumramblers look to build on most successful season since 1985

Senior Devon Turk

Senior Montel James

Meet the newcoMers


#5 - Pernell Adgei6'7 - 215 lbs - dumfries, vaStanding 6-foot-7, Adgei is a high-energy, athletic player with the ability to finish in the paint. Extremely physical and an excellent rebounder, Adgei has a versatile offensive game and can step out and knock down the mid-range jumper. He played his high school basketball at Pope John Paul the Great and played a postgraduate year at Fishburne Military School.Moser on Adgei: Pernell is an explosive athlete and a high-motor player who runs the floor well and plays above the rim. He played one year as a post-graduate at one of the top prep schools in the country and comes in as a freshman with a very high upside.

#25 - tyson smith6'2 - 185 lbs - baltimore, mdA native of Baltimore, Smith enjoyed a productive season last year at Southern Idaho, averaging 10.5 points and 3.4 assists per game for a Golden Eagles team that won their first 25 games last season, were consistently ranked in the top three of the NJCAA poll and saw five players sign with Division I programs. The team finished the season with a 31-3 record and participated in the NJCAA Tournament in Hutchinson, Kan.Smith enjoyed a successful high school career at Milford Mill, averaging 18.3 ppg his senior year to propel the school to the Baltimore County title, losing just five games over his final two seasons. Upon graduation, he spent one year at Westwind Prep Academy (Ariz.) before moving to Southern Idaho.Moser on Smith: Tyson Smith is a winner. Everywhere he has been, he has been a part of a winning culture. He is a relentless defender and gives us versatility in the backcourt, being able to stretch the defense as a three-point shooter or create off the dribble.

#31 - maurice kirby6'9 - 240 lbs - chandler, az Kirby will give the Ramblers a strong, physical presence in the paint. At 6-foot-9, 240 pounds, he redshirted his freshman season at Virginia Tech before transferring to Coffeyville Community College (Kansas), the former school of current Ramblers Montel James and Earl Peterson, where he competed last season.Moser on Kirby: Maurice fills an immediate need of size, strength, defense and rebounding. He is a high-character kid with a great feel for the game. Being a redshirt transfer from an ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference) school, he will have three seasons at Loyola. Maurice has a great academic background and understands the value of a Loyola education.

Bennie Seltzerassistant coachSeltzer began his coaching career in 1997, serving as an assistant coach for nine seasons under Kelvin Sampson at Oklahoma. Seltzer then moved to Marquette in 2006, spending a pair of seasons on Tom Creans coaching staff before following Crean to Indiana. In 2012, Seltzer returned to his hometown of Birmingham, Ala. and was named the head coach at Samford University. Seltzer entered the coaching profession after a successful playing career that began at Washington State and took him overseas upon graduation. In honor of his standout career, Seltzer was inducted into the Pac-12 Mens Basketball Hall of Honor this past March. Moser on Seltzer: I am very excited to add Bennie to my staff. I have known him for years, since we were both assistant coaches in the Big 12, and to bring in someone with his experience level will certainly help our program. Bennie has been around many successful teams, coaches and players. He was a Hall of Fame player in the Pac-12 and he will be someone that our student-athletes can learn from and take advantage of his experiences.

woMens BasketBall Preview


Third-year head coach Sheryl Swoopes welcomes back three starters and six letterwinners from last seasons squad that battled through multiple injuries to advance to the quarterfinals of the conference tournament for a second consecutive season. Redshirt junior Taylor Manuel headlines the trio of returning starters and was one of five student-athletes named to the Preseason All-Conference team. Manuel, a First Team All-Conference selection and last years MVC Newcomer of the Year, will be looking to build on a highly successful debut season that saw her post team-high marks in points (15.7 ppg), rebounds (9.6 rpg), and blocks (1.7 bpg). Fellow redshirt junior Taylor Johnson (12.5 ppg; 2.8 apg) and senior Becca Smith (5.9 ppg; 2.8 apg) are the other returning starters and give Coach Swoopes an experienced tandem in the backcourt. A talented group of seven newcomers (see next column and next page) are also set to join the Maroon & Gold and provide a refreshed energy to the squad.The Ramblers were picked to finish eighth in the MVC preseason poll, with Missouri State pegged as the preseason conference favorites. A challenging non-conference slate will have Loyola well-prepared for the Missouri Valley season. The Ramblers open the season at Georgia Tech, while also making early season trips to Michigan State, Green Bay, and DePaul. Miami (FL), the first of four NCAA tournament participants from last season on the non-conference schedule, and Northwestern also visit Gentile Arena.

whisper fisher6'2 - FR - owings mills, mdFisher was a standout performer during her prep career, putting together an impressive senior season, averaging a double-double (18.6 ppg, 10.0 rpg) en route to earning First Team All-County and All-Division honors. Whisper, who played on the club level for the Maryland Lady Shooting Stars, also provided a spark on the defensive end of the floor, recording 3.4 blocks per game, as she was named her teams Most Valuable Player.Swoopes on Fisher: Whisper will be a great addition to the players we already have and what we are trying to build here at Loyola. She will make a huge impact in the paint for us defensively in the Valley with her length and athleticism and will give us another inside presence on the offensive side as well.

tashawna edwards5'5 - SO - Midwest city, okEdwards was a two-sport standout during her time at Midwest City High School in Oklahoma, putting together an impressive career as part of the Bombers track & field team to go along with her accomplishments on the hardwood. She was named the teams Most Improved Player following a season that saw Midwest City capture both a conference and sectional title in 2012-13. Edwards spent last season at Garden City Community College and will have three years of eligibility for the Ramblers. Swoopes on Edwards: Tashawnya brings speed, quickness, experience, defense and the ability to get to the rim. She was Valedictorian in high school and finished with a 4.0 grade-point average in her one year at Garden City Community College.

ramblers aim for bounce back season manuel named to preseason all-conference team

Junior Taylor Manuel


Meet the newcoMers Dakota Vann5'11 - FR - oklahoma city, ok A dynamic wing player with outstanding quickness and strength, Dakota Vann comes to Loyola from Oklahoma City, Okla. Named Oklahomas 5A Most Valuable Player following last season, Vann averaged 13 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.9 steals during a breakout junior campaign that saw her named to the Big All-City First Team as Deer Creek High School captured its second consecutive state title in dominant fashion.Swoopes on Vann: Dakota brings a different look to our perimeter. She has the ability to play 1-4 and will fill several roles for us next year. Dakota brings size, strength, toughness, and a scorers mentality that will help us compete in the Valley next year.

brandi segars5'11 - FR - queens, ny Following the closure of Bishop Ford Central Catholic High School, Segars spent her senior season at Brooklyns Boys and Girls High School, leading the Public Schools Athletic League in scoring as she averaged 20 points per game to go along with 13 rebounds per game. Instead of making the jump directly into the college game, she chose to spend a season at Mount Zion Christian Academy, a college preparatory school in Durham, N.C. Swoopes on Segars: Brandi will be a versatile guard for us with the ability to play in multiple positions. She brings a tough work ethic, discipline and commitment that matches the culture that we are building. Brandi knows what it takes to win championships.

citiana negatu5'9 - FR - silver spring, mdAs a high school junior, Negatu developed into one of the main offensive weapons, averaging just over 13 points per game for a Bengals team that advanced to the Maryland 4A North Region Section

II semifinals. She enjoyed a strong senior season for the Bengals, upping her scoring average by a point, en route to a First Team All-Sentinel selection.Swoopes on Negatu: Citiana brings athleticism, toughness, competitiveness and a will to win. Her length and quickness will allow her to play multiple positions for us on both ends of the floor in the Valley.

grace goodhart5'9 - FR - sunnyvale, txA 2013-14 All-State selection by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches and her districts Most Valuable Player, Goodhart averaged 16.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.1 steals per game last season. The explosive two-guard is also a standout in the classroom, where she was named a member of the National Honor Society and recognized as an Academic All-District selection.Swoopes on Goodhart: Grace is a fierce competitor, hard worker and just an overall good kid. She excels not only on the basketball court, but in the classroom as well. Grace brings an outside threat that we have been missing and the ability to put the ball on the floor and create for others.

Nieka Wheeler5'9 - JR - Independence, moWheeler was a three-year starter in high school, where she averaged 18.3 points and 11.1 rebounds during a senior season that saw her tabbed as a second team All-State selection and a McDonalds All-American nominee. The 5-foot-9 forward averaged 11.4 points and 5.8 rebounds at Johnson County Community College en route to being named the Eastern Division Freshman of the Year in the conference. During her sophomore season, Wheeler helped the team to a school record 34-2 mark and a NJCAA Division II National Championship.Swoopes on Wheeler: Nieka brings energy, experience, toughness and leadership to our program that will definitely help us become a better team.

woMens volleyBall UPdatevolleyball doubles up on last year's win total The Ramblers opened the month of October with five consecutive Missouri Valley Conference victories, including big four-set road wins at Southern Illinois and Missouri State. When it capped the month with a 3-1 triumph over Evansville, Loyola captured its 19th win of the season, the most victories for the program since the 2008 squad finished 19-11 and more than double last years win total of nine.Junior Morgan Reardon and senior Brittany Brown lead a potent Rambler offense with 271 and 205 kills respectively. Reardon is sixth in the Valley in kills and leads the team with a 3.19 kills per set average. Another key for Loyolas turnaround has been the improvement on the defensive side of the net. The Ramblers have limited opponents to a .169 hitting clip over the course of the season, the lowest number in the conference.Loyola heads into November looking to secure its first bid into the six-team Missouri Valley Conference tournament in the programs third year in the league. Although four of their last six matches are away from Gentile Arena, the road hasnt been uncomfortable for the Ramblers, who hold a 14-1 record off their home court.

Kinane sets all-time digs recordSenior Stephanie Kinane entered the season in third place on Loyolas all-time digs list, needing 229 to surpass former Rambler Ann Deelo, who totaled 1,742 for the Maroon and Gold from 2003 to 2006. Kinane broke the mark when she registered 22 digs in a victory over Missouri State in October. The Batavia, Ill. native has 317 digs on the season upped the new all-time mark to 1,831.

holt, cushen garner mvc honorsSophomore setter Caroline Holt became Loyolas first MVC Volleyball Player of the Week in October after orchestrating an offense that hit .281 during wins against Indiana State and Illinois State. Holt is currently sixth in the conference with a 7.81 assists per set average.In the same week, freshman Amanda Cushen was named the MVC Freshman of the Week, averaging a team-high 5.34 kills per set and hitting at a .321 percentage. The award is the second of the year for Cushen, who is second on the team with 2.70 kills per set.

upcoming schedule:Nov. 6 @ Indiana State, 6 p.m.Nov. 7 @ Illinois State, 7 p.m.Nov. 13 vs. Wichita State, 4 p.m.Nov. 15 vs. Missouri State, 2 p.m.Nov. 20 @ Drake, 7 p.m.Nov. 21 @ UNI, 7 p.m.Nov. 26-28 MVC Tournament, Springfield, MO

MVC conference standings:School Conference OverallWichita State 10-2 19-7Southern Illinois 10-3 19-7Northern Iowa 9-4 15-11Loyola 8-4 19-6Illinois State 8-5 18-8Missouri State 7-5 16-9Drake 5-8 14-16Indiana State 3-10 14-14Evansville 2-11 8-19Bradley 1-11 6-18


Sophomore Caroline Holt

Senior Stephanie Kinane

Trio earn all-mvc honors at cross country championshipsSydney Stuenkel and Ericka Laviste led the Rambler women to a fourth-place finish with top-15 and Second-Team All-Conference performances, while Jake Brown earned his first All-Conference honors to lead the men to a sixth-place finish at the MVC Cross Country championships last weekend. Stuenkel was the first Rambler to cross the finish line, placing 12th overall with a season-best time of 17:34, while Laviste finished steps behind with a new personal-best time of 17:36. Lindsey Brewis was next to finish for Loyola, placing 21st with a personal-best time of 17:49 to score points at the conference championships for the second straight year, while Julia Demko (17:53) finished 26th overall. Last weeks MVC Athlete of the Week Hannah Magnuson rounded out scoring for the Ramblers, placing 32nd with a time of 18:13. On the mens side, Loyola finished sixth with a total of 146 points. Jake Brown led the Ramblers, earning Second-Time All-Conference honors after placing 13th with a personal-best time of 24:34. Mitch Baum was the next Rambler to cross the finish line after clocking a personal-best time of 24:50 to place 21st, while Chandler Diffee (25:21) scored points for Loyola for the second straight year with a 32nd-place finish. Peter Schaible (25:37) and Jamison Dale (25:45) rounded out scoring for the Ramblers, placing 39th and 41st, respectively.

Men's Golf Concludes Fall at Flyer invitationalFreshman Orion Yamat capped an impressive debut campaign with a 10th place finish at the Dayton Flyer Invitational last week. Yamat wrapped up a terrific fall season firing a one-over-par 72, sinking four putts for birdie, at the par-71, 7,055-yard course at the NCR Country Club. Loyola posted a strong final-round team total of 304 that helped it move up into a tie for ninth-place in the 17-team field.Also impressive for the Maroon & Gold during the fall was senior PJ Riner, who finishes the season second on the team with a 76.6 stroke average.With its fall season now complete, Loyola will have just under a four-month break from competition before opening its spring slate at the Carlton Oaks Invitational, Feb. 15-16, in Santee, Calif.

Women's Golf Finishes Third at Whistling StraitsSolid performances from the sophomore duo of Summer Moser and Jessie Staed helped the Loyola womens golf team make a move up the leaderboard on the final day of the Whistling Straits Intercollegiate in Sheboygan, Wis. The Ramblers posted a three-round tally of 995 (316-344-335), good enough for a third-place finish. Both Moser and Staed used their respective scores of 79 on the day to race into the top ten on the leaderboard at the par-72, 6,100-yard course at Meadow Valleys. Moser (80-85-79) moved up into a tie for sixth place at 244, while Staed (80-87-79) finished just two strokes back at 246, tied for ninth overall. Freshman Elayna Bowser closed the fall season with the teams best stroke average at 78.6.


Fall sPorts UPdates

Senior Sydney Stuenkel

Senior PJ Riner

woMens soccer UPdate


The last two games for the Loyola womens soccer team have essentially been playoff games, and the Ramblers have been up to the challenge in each. Needing a victory to secure a spot in the Missouri Valley Conference tournament, Loyola defeated Northern Iowa 1-0 in the regular-season finale with a goal by sophomore Avalon Senn-Raemont in the games 82nd minute. On Sunday, the Ramblers traveled to Illinois State for first-round play and downed the four-time defending conference tournament champions by a 2-1 score for the programs first MVC tournament victory. Senn-Raemonts team-high fifth goal on the season gave Loyola an early lead with junior Shelby Koch providing insurance minutes later.

The University of Evansville is the host for the final two rounds of the conference tournament, where the Ramblers will face top-seeded Drake this Friday. The Ramblers and the Bulldogs battled to a scoreless draw in Des Moines two weeks ago.

ford answers keeper questionOne of the Ramblers questions heading into the season was replacing goalkeeper Monica Gonyo, who graduated last year at the top of Loyolas all-time career shutout leaderboard. Sophomore Monica Gonyo has been up to the challenge all season, tying Gonyos single-season shutout record with eight clean sheets. Ford is currently third in the conference with a 1.09 goals per game average. In the semifinals, Ford will be tested by a Drake team that leads the conference with 28 goals.

young team heads to mvc semisramblers earn first missouri valley tournament victory in program history

Avalon Senn-Raemont, right

Mens soccer UPdate


Ramblers Run Unbeaten Streak to eightOn Halloween night, freshman Connor Stevenson scored his second goal of the season with just under four minutes to play to help the Ramblers to an action-packed 1-1 draw against Drake. The result ran Loyolas unbeaten streak to eight and completes a second consecutive unbeaten season on its home turf.Loyola has one remaining conference game, a trip downstate to conference-leader SIU Edwardsville and a visit it will make the following week for the MVC Tournament. The Ramblers have secured their bid for the six-team field and can earn as high as a number three seed with a victory over the Cougars this weekend.

dobrowolski sets career shutout recordIn a 2-0 victory over local rival Northwestern, senior Tim Dobrowolski collected the 23rd shutout of his storied career, propelling him to the top of Loyolas all-time leaderboard in the category, sending him past Rambler great Brian Byrne (2007-08).Dobrowolski finds himself in the midst of one of the finest seasons for a goalkeeper in school history. The Rockford, Ill. native has recorded nine shutouts, tied for the third most in a single-season by a Loyola netminder, and boasts a sparkling 0.42 goals against average that leads all Valley goalkeepers and ranks fifth overall nationally.

thoreson, dobrowolski earn mvc honorsFor the second time this season, senior Jacob Thoreson has been selected as the Missouri Valley Conferences Defensive Player of the Week. Not only did Thoreson come up with the deciding strike in the Ramblers 1-0 win over Northern Illinois, the Auburn, Wash. native has been

part of a stout Loyola defense, which currently sports a 0.41 goals against average that leads the Valley and ranks second in the entire country. The Ramblers only allowed a single goal in the seven games in the month of October and recently completed a streak where they held their opponents scoreless for an incredible 686 consecutive minutes. In addition to his aforementioned work in goal for the Ramblers, Tim Dobrowolski was one of 10 student-athletes in the conference to be honored with the MVCs Good Neighbor Award. Dobrowolski owns a 3.10 cumulative grade-point average as an Information Systems and Operations Management double major in Loyolas Quinlan School of Business. The senior has been a member of Loyolas Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) for each of the last three years and is currently serving as the organizations Director of External Operations. Dobrowolski also takes time to give back to the community. He has volunteered with organizations that include the Chicago Youth Sports Alliance (CYSA), Relay for Life and Misericordia, an organization that offers a community of care that maximizes potential for persons with mild to profound developmental disabilities.

upcoming schedule:Nov. 7 - @ SIU Edwardsville, 7 p.m.Nov. 11-15 - MVC Tournament, Edwardsville, IL

MVC conference standings:School Conference OverallSIU Edwardsville 4-1-0 10-3-1Bradley 4-1-0 7-8-0Drake 3-1-1 9-4-2Loyola 2-1-2 9-3-4Missouri State 2-2-1 5-5-4Central Arkansas 1-4-0 2-13-1Evansville 0-6-0 2-13-0

Senior Jacob Thoreson

rambler report - november 2015

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