Women’s volleyball third-year Ann Marie Remmes entered the transfer portal during her second year and Creighton University and hasn’t looked back, bringing skill and championship drive to Loyola.
Women’s volleyball third-year Ann Marie Remmes entered the transfer portal during her second year and Creighton University and hasn’t looked back, bringing skill and championship drive to Loyola.
Prior to arriving at Loyola, third-year middle Ann Marie Remmes played for Creighton University in Omaha, NE when she decided to enter the transfer portal.
In Chicago, the Loyola women’s volleyball team’s coaching staff were looking for a middle blocker.
During her time at Creighton, Remmes started in 16 out of 18 appearances during her second-year after playing sparingly her first-year, and ranked 16th in Big East hitting percentages, hitting .260 on the season.
After not playing much during the second half of her second-year, Remmes decided to enter the transfer portal.
“I can’t say enough good things about Creighton and the volleyball program there,” Remmes said. “I had amazing relationships with the coaches and the players. There ended up just being some frustrations, and I realized that maybe a different spot would be better for me.”
Fourth-year opposite Esma Anajovic was familiar with Remmes before she joined the program. The two had played club volleyball together throughout high school at Adversity Volleyball Club in Vernon Hills, IL.
Loyola’s coaching staff talked to Anajovic to learn more about her experience being Remmes’ teammate and the discussions of recruitment furthered from there, according to head coach Amanda Berkley.
Remmes was excited to be reunited with an old teammate and said it made the transition to Loyola smoother. When she arrived last spring, the team only had 12 practicing players, making it difficult for the full team to connect, especially without the six incoming first-years on campus.
Despite transferring in the spring semester of her second year, Remmes said her teammates and the coaching staff couldn’t have made it easier for her.
Berkley said she hoped Remmes could be a starter for the Ramblers as well as an impact player as she became a Rambler. Remmes brings a lot of competitive spirit to the program and embodies the championship culture Loyola needed.
Berkley said Remmes had former experience with a quality program at Creighton, which set her up for the starting role she has now.
“She comes from a very good program and a very good coaching staff at Creighton,” Berkley said. “That’s another thing that we were excited about because she just understands the game, and understands the whole sport and collegiate volleyball at a different level.”
When coming to Loyola, Remmes’ goal was to earn everyone’s respect and find her role on the team — something she feels she’s been able to accomplish. The team as a whole is working toward winning the Atlantic 10 championship title, Remmes said they’ve had some ups and downs working with a new roster, but are finding their groove.
Remmes has made an impact on both offense and defense, being at the net. She is third overall in kills on the season and second overall in blocks. She’s placed in the front row when fourth-year setter Bree Borum is, which makes her one of two in system offensive options; the outside hitter and the middle. Berkley said. Remmes is one of the fastest middles Loyola has had, which allows her to always be available to put the ball away and get a kill to gain the point..
Off the court, Remmes enjoys getting coffee with her teammates and taking walks along the lake. She enjoys living in a big city and being closer to her hometown of Lisle, IL.
Playing at a school closer to home also allows her family to come to more games,. Her parents and brother have always been supportive of her volleyball career so their constant presence at her games is special, Remmes said.
Remmes still has two seasons of eligibility left with the Ramblers and is excited to work towards winning the A10 Conference title as well as making it into the NCAA tournament.
After she graduates from Loyola, Remmes hopes to go down the coaching path with the experience she has gained from the two programs she has been at.
“I’m very interested in coaching and it’s been so interesting to compare and contrast two different programs and see different coaching styles,” Remmes said. “I get to see what I like and what I dislike.”
Remmes and the Ramblers will take on George Mason University in Gentile Arena Oct. 25 at 6 p.m. and Oct. 26 at 2 p.m.
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