Oct. 26, 2001

Box Score

Chicago, Ill. - For the past five seasons, Loyola has held the University of Illinois at Chicago volleyball team's number as the Ramblers have won the last 12 matches and 10 games between the two squads dating back to 1996.

The Flames, however, put Loyola on notice that their number is almost up.

For the second time this season, UIC pushed Loyola to the maximum five games, but failed to seal the deal as the Ramblers earned the 30-21, 22-30, 27-30, 30-28, 15-10 victory at Alumni Gym on Friday night.

With the victory, Loyola improves to 13-8 overall and 9-1 in the Horizon League. UIC, falls to 10-12 overall and 3-7 in the league.

"I was proud of our team with the way that they fought tonight," UIC head coach Don August said. "We didn't chuck it in at all. We came down here and got down 1-0 and 2-1, we fought back and made it a dogfight."

Sophomore outside hitter Teaha Shepperd and junior middle hitter Gina Caneva paced UIC offensively as both tallied 17 kills for the evening. Caneva's 17 kills was a career-high for the Lockport native.

The Flames also received solid efforts from outside hitters Lindsey Filkins (13 kills, 14 digs) and Vicki Lublow (10 kills, 16 digs). Freshman setter Dawn Strahanoski dished out 54 assists on the night.

UIC took an early 3-1 lead in the match-game, behind a pair of Loyola errors and block assists by Lynn Clarkson (7 kills, 3.5 blocks) and Shepperd.

Loyola, however, scored nine out of the next 11 points, to secure the game and the match. Jenelle Hart (21 kills) led the way for the Ramblers with 3 kills in this game, while teammates Shari Davis (7 kills, 17 digs) and Lauren Mikos (24 kills, 12 digs) each chipped in two kills apiece.

UIC will be back in action on Saturday as the Flames will play host to IUPU-Fort Wayne at 3:00 PM in the Physical Education Building.