Sept. 1, 2000

Box Score

Chicago, Ill. - The UIC volleyball team rallied back after dropping the opening game to defeat Southeastern Louisiana 12-15, 15-8, 15-7, 15-4, Friday night in first-day action of the 2000 UIC Wilson Volleyball Invitational at UIC Pavilion.

"I thought we started pretty tentative," remarked Head Coach Don August, who had two freshmen in the starting lineup. "Southeastern played near perfect volleyball for the first game and a half, though. We just kept preaching to be patient and we would break them."

Freshman Lindsey Filkins and Teaha Shepperd paced the Flames, who won their season opener for the first time since 1995, as both posted doubles-doubles in their UIC debuts. Filkins posted a game-high 18 kills while also tying Shepperd for game-high honors with 16 digs. Shepperd tallied 15 kills on the night while also showing off her defensive prowess with a six-pack of block assists.

"They are quality volleyball players and they didn't disappoint tonight," said August.

Senior's Jill Greer and Erica Anderson helped bring the newcomers along as both came up just short of triple-double outings. Greer finished with nine kills, 14 digs and nine blocks while Anderson tabbed seven kills, a game-high 53 assists and 13 digs.

The Lady Lions (0-1), behind 21 first-game kills, quieted the Pavilion crowd as they took game one 15-12. The Flames (1-0) charged back, though, with convincing wins in game two, three and four.

Jenni Cool led Southeastern Louisiana with 13 kills while Mandy Withrow added 12 kills and 14 digs. Setter Kimberly Ishino had a solid night with 39 assists and five service aces.

UIC will open second-day action of the 2000 UIC Wilson Volleyball Invitational tomorrow, Sept. 2, at 12:00 p.m., as they take on Indiana State (1-0), who swept Youngstown State (0-1) 15-7, 15-1, 16-14, earlier Friday evening.

Southeastern Louisiana will then take on Youngstown State at 2:00 p.m. and Indiana State at 5:00 p.m., before UIC is back in action at 7:00 p.m. versus the Penguins.