Sept. 7, 2007
Box Score
Chicago, Ill. _ Senior Amanda Kenny tabbed a career-high 24 kills and 22 digs on Friday night to help guide UIC volleyball to a 3-1 (30-27, 30-23, 25-30, 30-27) triumph over North Dakota State in the opening day of tournament action. Kenny also led the squad with a .286 attack percentage and owned a team-best four blocks against the Bison.
Sophomore Katerina Hanackova also picked up a double-double with 16 kills and 16 digs, while junior Christin Hunt totaled 10 kills. Freshman setter Dana Van Syckle notched a season-high 18 digs and added two service aces on the night.
Kelly Lopez paced the Bison with 16 kills, 13 digs and a team-high .317 attack percentage. Kristen Hille also tabbed a double-double with 10 kills and 16 digs.
Leading 11-10, UIC sparked a 7-2 run for a six-point advantage (18-12). Despite a late comeback by NDSU, UIC used its offensive momentum to capture game one, 30-27. The Flames held North Dakota State to a .160 attack percentage, while forcing the squad to commit eight errors in the first outing.
The Bison answered and jumped out to a 10-3 start to kick off game two, but UIC began to chip away at the deficit, eventually knotting it at 15-15 at the midpoint. The Flames never allowed NDSU to get any closer than five points before clinching game two, 30-23.
After notching a game-high eight kills in the first matchup, Kenny continued to produce offensively with eight kills and eight digs in game two.
Posting a match-high .333 clip in game three, North Dakota State bounced back with three consecutive points late in the frame to cut UIC's lead in half (30-25).
The Flames responded and took a 21-10 advantage in game four. North Dakota State once again attempted a comeback late in the game, but UIC came together and clinched the match victory (30-27).
UIC faces McNeese State on Saturday, Sept. 8 at 1:30 p.m., followed by a matchup against Elon to cap tournament play.
