Sept. 1, 2006

Tampa, Fla. - The UIC volleyball team (2-3) fell to South Florida (1-2) in three games (30-28, 30-24, 30-27) on Friday night. The Flames return to USF Invitational action on Saturday, Sept. 2 when they battle Towson at 9:00 a.m. and UTEP at 3:00 p.m.

The Flames were led by Katarina Nedeljkovic with 16 kills and three service aces. Julie Popp added 12 digs and Ambria Springer paced the Flames with a .409 attack percentage.

The Flames jumped ahead early in the game one, earning three straight points. USF answered, tying it up at 3-3. The lead changed seven times before the Bulls took a 29-28 advantage on a kill by Marcela Gurgel. USF sealed game one, 30-28, on a service ace from Gurgel.

Leading UIC for most of game two, the Flames sparked a 6-1 run to get within two points (20-18), but USF turned on the heat, posting a .358 attack percentage for the 30-24 win.

Trailing by ten points, the Flames inched their way back into game three with a 10-3 run (23-20). The Flames got within one (26-25) on a service ace by Springer, but USF would go on to clinch the 3-0 sweep after taking game three, 30-27.

Following a showdown versus Towson at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, UIC faces the University of Texas at El Paso at 3:00 p.m. to wrap up tournament play.