The Loyola Women’s Basketball team opens their season tomorrow with an exhibition game against Roosevelt at Gentile Arena. That is followed by the season opener hosting UIC November 6. Once again, I will be back “On the Beat” covering the team.

Last year, Allison Guth was named Head Coach. A Chicago area native, Guth led her high school to their first girls basketball title in 2000. After playing for the University of Illinois, Guth embarked on a coaching career that took her to Loyola as an assistant. She also held roles at DePaul and Northwestern, before being named Head Coach at Yale in 2015.

I first met Guth at her introductory media session at Loyola in 2022. I had the pleasure of doing a short interview with her, found at On the Beat With Loyola Coach Allison Guth. I found Coach Guth to be extremely positive, realistic and friendly. I admit, I was slightly surprised when Coach Guth greeted me by name and thanked me at the first game. With all of the hoopla, she still went out of her way to interact with me.

Unfortunately, the season did not go well. The Ramblers finished 6-24. I don’t use injuries as an excuse, but the team waqs plagued and often played short-handed. Still, I always saw the team play with heart. No matter the deficit, Loyola always played hard.

I really liked the team. Under a new coach, in a new conference, with a lot of injuries, the team overcame a lot, despite the record.

I really liked their players. Being a long-time family friend of senior guard Sam Galanopoulos, I knew of her talent. Forward Sitori Tanin impressed me with her toughness, despite logging a lot of minutes and having a depleted bench to help. At 5’3″ first year guard Kira Chivers was a bit undersized, but is an exciting player with a lot of potential. The Nolan sisters came with excellent resumes. I could point to highlights for each player. Then there is Coach Guth, a positive, heady coach. There was so much to like about the team. They just need to start piling wins.

Sam Galanopoulos

In the offseason, I interviewed Tanin. That interview is at On the Beat With Sitori Tanin. She echoed the positive feelings towards her coach, the team and the fanbase.

The Ramblers start their season with high hopes. I see this team easily doubling their win total of last season. I think 15-15 is possible.

No matter what, it is going to be a fun season. Thanks to the hospitality of the L:oyola University Athletics Department, I will once again be sitting courtside at many games. I’m entering my fifth year of covering the team and I am more excited than ever.