March 21, 2006

CHICAGO - Fresh off its second consecutive Horizon League Tournament title and NCAA Tournament appearance, the Loyola women's volleyball team is ready for its 2006 spring season, set to begin this Saturday.

Loyola opens play on Saturday afternoon with a single match against Western Michigan in Rogers Park before taking to the court in a pair of tournaments against top-flight competition.

The Ramblers will play host to the Ninth Annual Three Wise Men tournament on April 8. The field of 16 teams includes both Hawaii, which was seeded seventh nationally in last year's NCAA Tournament field, and Ohio State, which earned the No. 13 national seed.

Loyola then takes a break before closing out its season at the Great Lakes Center College Spring Tournament, beginning on Apr. 22. The 24-team tournament features 12 2005 NCAA Tournament entries, including Elite Eight representatives Arizona and Wisconsin and Sweet 16 teams Purdue and Ohio U.

The Ramblers seem poised for another strong season next fall as they return All-Horizon League outside hitter Courtney Ashley in addition to Horizon League Tournament MVP Sarah Elmer and and All-Newcomer Team selection Audrey Davis.