May 3, 2006
Chicago, Ill.- The UIC volleyball team announced the signing of Casie Sullivan (Kewanne, Ill./Wethersfield HS), Lana Lobdell (Lena, Ill./Lena-Winslow HS) and Katerina Hanackova (Prevov, Czech Republic) to National Letters of Intent on Wednesday. In addition, Emily Schaffer (Roswell, Georgia/Blessed Trinity HS) and Amanda Kenny (Oak Lawn, Ill./Univ. of Dayton) have accepted UIC's offers for admission and will join the 2006 squad.
The five future additions mark Head Coach Nancy Mueller's third recruiting class for the UIC volleyball program.
Sullivan, a 5-11 outside hitter, hails from Kewanee, Ill., where she was a four-year varsity starter and a two-time co-captain for Wetherfield High School. Sullivan is a four-year First Team Lincoln Trail All-Conference and Academic All-Conference selection. Named Star Courier Athlete of the Week twice in two years, Sullivan helped her team to back-to-back LTC Conference, Tournament and Regional Championships. In 2005, the outside hitter led her team with 339 kills and 119 digs. Sullivan was also a three-year letterwinner as a forward for the basketball team.
"Casie is a great athlete that will instantly make a positive impact on the 2006 team," Mueller said. "She is a versatile hitter than can play on the outside or the right side and we are looking forward to seeing her challenge for a starting role on the squad."
Lobdell, a 6-1 middle hitter, comes to the Flames by way of Lena-Winslow High School in Lena, Ill. Lobdell guided her team to a 2005 UpState Illini-North Conference Championship and a "Sweet 16" appearance at the Illinois State Finals. The middle hitter was a three-time all-conference and all-area selection while being named to four all-tournament teams. As a senior, Lobdell led the team in blocks (199), kills (366) and kill percentage (.360). She totaled 42 aces, 277 digs and four assists in 2005 with a career-high 24 kills versus Milledgeville High School. On the Illinois High School Association record books, Lobdell ranks second with 507 career blocks and 26th with 199 blocks in a single season.
"Lana is a quiet force that has the ability to dominate in any match," Mueller said. "She is a physical middle blocker who will make an immediate impact in that position and we are looking forward to seeing her grow into a great player."
Hanackova joins current Flame Katerina Nedeljkovic as the second international player on the 2006 UIC team. Hanackova is a 5-9 outside hitter who comes to the Flames from Gymnasium Zlin Lesni High School in Zlin, Czech Republic where she led her team to a second-place finish in 2004. She is a member of the Prevov, Czech Republic club team.
"I am looking forward to Katerina joining the squad next fall," Mueller explained. "She is an enthusiastic, experienced player who will make an immediate impact on this team and her knowledge of the game, as well as her ability to terminate balls, will propel her into a possible starting role."
Kenny arrives with valuable experience at the collegiate level after two year's under her belt at the University of Dayton. As a junior with the Flyers, Kenny appeared in 77 games and played in 26 of 35 matches where she was one of five players to finish the 2005 season averaging at least one kill per game. The outside hitter was one of two Flyers to record 100 kills and 100 digs in both 2004 and 2005. Kenny finished last season with 13 digs, eight kills, and two service aces in the NCAA Tournament First Round against #11 Notre Dame. In two seasons, Kenny totaled 276 kills, 294 digs, 11 blocks and 24 service aces.
"Amanda brings a wealth of experience to this team with two Atlantic 10 conference championships and NCAA tournament appearances for the University of Dayton," said Mueller. "Amanda knows what it takes to get to that level and I think she can definitely help get UIC to where she's been."
Shaffer comes to the Flames from a successful high school program in Georgia. The 5-7 outside hitter helped Blessed Trinity Catholic High School to three state Final Four appearances, earning runner-up finishes in 2004 and 2005. Schaffer was named a 2005 first team all-region and a senior all-star selection, as well as a 2004 first team all-area and all-county honoree. Recording 432 digs as a senior, the outside hitter earned a second-place ranking in career digs in the state of Georgia. In 2006, Schaffer totaled 56 aces and 201 kills. The outside hitter is a member of the Atlanta Juniors club team of Atlanta Ga.
"Emily is a solid defender and passer," said Mueller. "She has a calming energy about her and knows what she needs to do to get the job done, and do it well. She is an eager player who will outwork anyone to be on the court and will add a whole other dimension to the chemistry of the team."
The UIC volleyball team loses two seniors from the 2005 squad in middle hitter Tisha Graf and outside hitter Catherine Roy.
The Flames will return all six starters and libero. The 2006 Flames kick off regular-season action on August 25-26 in the Chicagoland Challenge hosted by UIC.
