Oct. 27, 2006
Box Score
Chicago, Ill. - UIC (14-13, 7-3) fell to Cleveland State (16-6, 6-4) in four games (30-26, 26-30, 29-31, 27-30) Friday night at the Flames Athletic Center. Saturday's match versus Youngstown State at 4:00 p.m. marks the final home contest for four seniors on the 2006 team.
Ambria Springer, Maura McCarthy, Julie Popp and Katie Kozak will be honored for their careers at UIC in a ceremony prior to the contest.
Junior Katarina Nedeljkovic led the Flames, recording a double-double with 16 kills and 13 digs. Senior Katie Kozak owned a team-high .500 attack percentage, while adding seven kills and 11 digs on the night. Senor Julie Popp guided the Flames on defense with 16 digs and senior Ambria Springer notched three service aces and seven blocks.
Cleveland State and UIC both posted strong offensive showings in game one, but the Flames came out on top, 30-26. Trailing early, the Vikings tied it at 11-11 before two consecutive Ambria Springer service aces sparked a run for UIC. CSU knotted the game for a second time (23-23), but a 7-3 run gave the Flames the victory (30-26).
The Vikings led early in game two, 17-9. Inching their way back, the Flames posted a 12-7 run to get within two points (23-21) late in the game. Unable to capitalize on the momentum, Cleveland State tied the match at 1-1 (30-26).
Knotted at 16-16 mid-game, the Flames took at two-point advantage (18-16) on two kills by Christin Hunt and Lana Lobdell. The Vikings battled back to tie it at 19-19. The lead changed six times before CSU recorded two straight points for the 31-29 win.
Cleveland State dominated on offense, posting a .405 attack percentage in game four. Trailing in game four, the Flames battled back to get within one point (25-24), but the Vikings would eventually capture the match victory (30-27).
The Flames conclude regular season action on the road. UIC tangles with UW-Milwaukee on Nov. 3, followed by a Saturday contest against UW-Green Bay On Nov. 4. UIC's then travels in its final matchup against crosstown foe Loyola on Nov. 9 before playing in the Horizon League Tournament Nov. 16-19 in Dayton, Ohio.
