Northwestern University Athletics
Chicago Challenge This Weekend at Loyola (Ill.)
9/8/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
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Sept. 8, 2004
EVANSTON, Ill. - After opening the season last weekend in Evanston with the NU Labor Day Invite, the Wildcats travel to Loyola (Ill.) for the Chicago Challenge this Friday and Saturday, Sept. 10 and 11. NU will fight for bragging rights among the other three major universities in the Chicagoland area as the 'Cats take on DePaul, Loyola (Ill.), and Illinois-Chicago.
"We have to represent the Big Ten and Northwestern in general," junior libero Christie Gardner said. "We've slowly been coming together as a team, and we need to come out and play consistent and like we know we can."
In the past, NU has dominated all three schools, posting an all-time record of 46-13, but head coach Keylor Chan is leaving nothing to chance.
"It's always a great rivalry between these Chicago area schools," Chan said. "Especially since we are always battling in the recruiting game, these matches are extremely key.
In 2003, the 'Cats easily swept the competition at the Chicago Challenge by beating host Illinois-Chicago, Ole Miss and Loyola (Ill.) all by a score of 3-0.
NU will kick off the tournament on Friday at 7:30 p.m. by playing Loyola (Ill.) in the Gentile Center. The Ramblers have a first-year head coach in Tim O'Brien, who is looking to get his team into the groove after stumbling to a 1-3 early-season mark. Despite its slow start, Loyola (Ill.) poses a threat to the 'Cats after going a solid 18-14 in 2003 in addition to a 3-1 upset-win over NU in 2002. A key player for the Ramblers is senior outside hitter Nichol Amberg, who recorded 403 kills, 379 digs and 37 service aces in 2003.
"We definitely have our work cut out for us against Loyola," Chan said. "They're a team that has beaten us in the past, so we can't take anything for granted, especially playing in their gym."
On Saturday, the 'Cats will play the first match of their double-header against DePaul at noon. The Blue Demons are a young, but experienced team looking to improve on their 11-20 record from 2003 as they return 4 starters and 10 letterwinners.
"Depaul is in the process of building up a great program right now," Chan said. "I know they're going to be strong in Conference USA this year, so they will definitely be a challenge."
Mandy Mooreberg, who paced the Blue Demons last year with 393 kills, has 59 kills through 14 games in 2004 with an average of 4.21 per game.
NU will play its final match of the weekend against Illinois-Chicago on Saturday at 5 p.m. The Flames boast a strong player in senior outside hitter Jordan Studzinski, who has 55 kills over her team's first 17 games this year. Head coach Nancy Mueller is in her first year at the helm for UIC, but that does not make the match any easier according to Chan.
"Nancy is new there this year, but she's a great coach," Chan said. "Teams always seem to get a little shot in the arm with a new coach, so we will get their best."
The Series with Loyola (Ill.)
All-Time Series: NU leads 13-2
Most Recent Meeting: Sept. 5, 2003 (NU, 3-0)
The Series with Illinois-Chicago
All-Time Series: NU leads 19-4
Most Recent Meeting: Sept. 6, 2003 (NU, 3-0)
The Series with DePaul
All-Time Series: NU leads 14-7
Most Recent Meeting: Sept. 1, 1998 (NU, 3-0)
