Nov. 18, 2003

Chicago, Ill. - Looks can be deceiving.

The University of Illinois at Chicago volleyball team enters this weekend's Horizon League Tournament against #6 Cleveland State (17-15, 4-10 Horizon League) with a mark of 11-20 overall and 2-12 in conference play, but Flames' head coach Don August sees good things in store for his squad.

Both teams captured one match apiece on their home courts this season. First serve is set for 10:00 a.m. (CST) at Butler's Hinkle Fieldhouse on Friday morning.

"We should be confident playing Cleveland State, we beat them on our court, but we're still very aware that they smoked us pretty good on their court," August said. "They're a very strong team up the middle and we have our work cut out for us."

The winner of the match will square off with #3 UW-Green Bay later on Friday at 4:00 p.m. in the tournament quarterfinals at Hinkle Fieldhouse.

Senior outside hitter Teaha Shepperd leads the Flames with 452 kills on the season, which is good for 8th-most in school history. The Kalamazoo, Mich., native also leads the squad with 49 service aces on the campaign.

UIC will also look to junior middle hitter Kristi Herrington for a presence at the net. Herrington has totaled a career-high, 344 kills along with a team best 106 blocks (20 solo).

Cleveland State will counter with Jamie Bouyer. Bouyer currently leads the Horizon League with a hitting percentage of .370 (489 kills, 122 errors, 991 attacks).

The Flames are coming off of a heartbreaking five-game loss at the hands of cross-town rival, Loyola at Alumni Gym on Friday night.

August, however, was encouraged by his team's moxie.

"I think we should go in fairly confident after our last match, even though it was a loss," August said. "It was a strong performance in a tough environment.

"We're excited about our draw, the possibilities are strong and the tourney is in our hands now."