Sept. 13, 2005
Box Score
Kalamazoo, Mich. -Despite a career-high 24 kills from junior Maura McCarthy, the UIC volleyball team came up on the short end of a five-game decision at Western Michigan on Tuesday night, falling to the Broncos 30-27, 25-30, 27-30, 30-26, 15-12.
The Flames, who dropped to 3-7 on the year with the loss, are now 1-3 in five-game matches this season.
Western Michigan snapped a three-match losing streak with the win to level its record at 3-3.
McCarthy enjoyed her best hitting night in a UIC uniform, smacking down 24 kills in economic fashion as she recorded a personal best .477 hitting percentage. The outside hitter also tabbed 13 digs on the night for her fourth double-double this season.
Sophomore Katarina Nedeljkovic (21 kills, 11 digs) and junior Katie Kozak (64 assists, 11 digs) were also double-double contributors for the Flames. Sophomore Liz Hrebic tied her career best with 17 digs for UIC.
Shaylen Jackson paced the Broncos with 21 kills while Schea Fissel totaled 20 digs in the win.
UIC led the match 2-1 heading into the fourth game, but Western Michigan quickly jumped out to a 7-1 lead in the set, capitalizing on four attack errors by the Flames. UIC would pull as close as 14-13, but an 8-0 Bronco run gave them a 22-13 advantage they would not relinquish.
In the fifth and deciding game, the two squads battled back-and-forth. The score was knotted 11-11, before a three straight points by Western Michigan put them at match point, which was eventually put down on a kill by Jackson.
The Flames will be back in action on Friday, Sept. 16th, when they take on Rice to open the 2005 State Farm Classic in Champaign, Ill.
