May 24, 2006

2006 Volleyball Schedule in PDF Format
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Chicago, Ill.- University of Illinois at Chicago Head Volleyball Coach Nancy Mueller announced the upcoming schedule for the 2006 season on Wednesday morning. The 2006 campaign features 2007-08 Horizon League addition Valparaiso, eight Illinois institutions and three 2005 NCAA Tournament participants.

"Our 2006 schedule is very challenging," said Mueller. "It was designed to give us great competition from beginning to end."

"The preseason competition will be tough and should provide us with ample opportunity to challenge ourselves at the highest level, thus preparing us for our conference season."

UIC hosts the Chicagoland Challenge at the Flames Athletic Center on August 25-26 to break into the season. The Flames square off with future Horizon League member Valparaiso to kick off its 2006 campaign on Friday, August 25 at 7 p.m. (CST), followed by a matchup versus the 2005 Horizon League Tournament champion Loyola at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 26 and DePaul at 7 p.m.

UIC then travels north of Chicago to battle 2005 NCAA Tournament qualifier Northwestern on Tuesday, August 29 at 7 p.m., before heading to Tampa for a two-day tournament where the Flames face host South Florida, Towson and UTEP over Labor Day weekend.

Following the USF Tournament, the Flames head to Murfreesboro, Tenn. on Sept. 8-9 for the Blue Raider Bash Tournament, featuring Saint Louis University, host Middle Tennessee State University and Miami (OH). A native of Murfreesboro, Tenn., the tournament marks a homecoming for senior middle hitter Ambria Springer.

UIC then returns to Chicago to wrap up in-season tournament play when the Flames host the UIC Invitational on Sept. 15-16, which includes Western Michigan, North Texas and Western Illinois.

The Flames open their Horizon League slate on Sept. 22 at the Flames Athletic Center versus Butler at 7 p.m.

"The Horizon League as a whole has taken a huge step forward because of the league's parity," Mueller explained. "It should provide for a very exciting regular season race."

After spending the month of October during the 2005 season on the road, the Flames will enjoy six of eight games at home before playing their last three on the road in November.

Wright State is the host university for the 2006 Horizon League Championship, which is slated for Nov. 16-19 in Dayton, Ohio.

For a complete 2006 UIC volleyball schedule, please click above.