Aug. 31, 2006

USF Invitational Game Notes in PDF Format
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Chicago, Ill. The UIC volleyball team travels south to compete in the 2006 Best Western Invitational in Tampa, Florida, Sept. 1-2. The Flames face host South Florida on Friday, Sept. 1 at 7:00 p.m., followed by two matches on Saturday against Towson at 9:00 a.m. and the University of Texas at El Paso at 3:00 p.m.

UIC enters the tournament 2-2 after falling to the Northwestern Wildcats in three games on Tuesday, Aug. 29.

Junior Katarina Nedeljkovic leads the Flames with 55 kills. Newcomer Amanda Kenny paces UIC with a .278 attack percentage, while Julie Popp owns 48 digs in four matches. Leading the Flames with eight service aces and 163 assists, senior Katie Kozak continues to dominate for UIC. On the season, Ambria Springer has totaled 20 blocks, earning her a first-place ranking on the team.

South Florida has gotten off to a rough start, dropping its first two matches of the season at the Aquafina Invitational in Gainesville, Florida, Aug. 25-26. The Bulls are guided by Marcela Curgel with 32 kills, while Juliana Nogueira and Stephanie Augustavo both own 19 digs a piece.

Towson enters this weekend's tournament with a 2-2 record. The Tigers swept Robert Morris University on Sat. Aug. 26, followed by a four game victory over the University of Maryland at Baltimore County on Sunday. Towson is led by Maddie Haseltine with 71 kills and Ally Perko has totaled 55 digs on the season.

UTEP looks to pick up its first win of the season after dropping its first four matches in 2006. Christie Murphy paces the Miners with 45 kills and Elsa Reyes owns 85 digs.

UIC hosts Chicago State on Tuesday, Sept. 5 before facing off at the Blue Raider Bash in Murfreesboro, Tenn., Sept. 8-9.

For more information on UIC volleyball and this weekend's opponents, please click on the game notes above.