In January, the Loyola softball team (26-25, 9-17) was voted to finish last in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) preseason poll. Looking to ignore the critics, the team set a goal: make the conference tournament in May.
Now, after finishing in seventh place in the conference standings, the Ramblers achieved that goal and are headed to Normal on May 11 to play in their second MVC tournament since joining the MVC in 2013.
The team got off to a hot start this season, winning its first 14 games, but lost 18 of its next 22. The offense woke up and helped Loyola win three of its last five series — including a sweep of Indiana State University — to get to the conference tournament for the first time since losing to Bradley University in the 2014 championship game.