DUBUQUE, Iowa – The Loras College women's volleyball team will open its 2025 season on Friday, Aug. 29 at 3 p.m. in St. Louis, Mo. as a part of the Bear Invite.

The Purple and Gold will face off against Webster University first before taking on the host, WashU, in the nightcap. The Duhawks will wrap up their time in St. Louis on Saturday against the Carthage College Firebirds at 12 p.m.

The Duhawks ranked sixth in the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) Preseason Coaches' Poll and are looking to improve upon their 16-15 record from 2024.

Sixth year head coach, Kristy Duncan, returns all but one player to the court for this upcoming season. However, former standout setter, Sara Hoskins, will still be on the sidelines as she returns to her Alma Mater as an assistant coach.

"We have a large veteran group returning, including 10 seniors," said Duncan. "Elaina Schroeder, Alexis Woltman, Autumn Finch, Zoe Schmitz, Allie Burke, Sophie Younkin, Patrycja Jarzabek, Katelyn Kitchen, and Jenna Gianoli have all been part of our program since their freshman year. While we return quite a bit of experience, we are welcoming a new setter to the court for the first time in five years."

The Purple and Gold welcome Finch, Younkin and Cat Meyer back to the lineup this year. During her junior season, Finch was a First Team All-Conference and American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-Region Honorable Mention honoree.  The Marshalltown, Iowa native is also coming off a record-breaking season where she set a new program record for blocks in a single season with 129.

Younkin also earned a spot on the First Team All-Conference squad last season after ranking second on the team in kills with 245, while Meyer was an A-R-C Honorable Mention selection who totaled 230 kills, 183 digs and 25 blocks on the year.

"It has been fun to watch the returners welcome our freshmen and see them start to gel on and off the court," said Duncan. "It's a fun group that is working hard and starting to figure things out. We have a strong non-conference schedule that we hope will help prepare us for another competitive season of A-R-C volleyball."

Following their opening weekend, the Duhawks will continue their road trip with four matches in Wisconsin before returning to Lillis Court for their home tournament on Sept. 12-13.