Aug. 28, 2008
Chicagoland Challenge Game Notes 
Chicago, Ill. - The UIC volleyball team opens its 2008 slate at the Chicagoland Challenge hosted by crosstown rival Loyola on Aug. 29-30 at the Gentile Center.
The Flames kick off the season with a matchup against Northwestern on Friday, Aug. 29 at 4:30 p.m. In addition to the Wildcats and Ramblers, the two-day tournament also features DePaul.
With a win, UIC will play on Saturday at 7 p.m. The consolation match is set for 4:30 p.m.
This marks the fifth year of competition for the Chicagoland Challenge.
After a challenging year in 2007 due to numerous injuries, the Flames are prepared for a successful season in 2008 with nine returning letterwinners and four newcomers.
In addition to six returning starters, the Flames also welcome back two-time All-Horizon League selection Katarina Nedeljkovic. The senior was sidelined last season because of shoulder surgery.
UIC also returns its most productive blockers. Junior Lana Lobdell and redshirt sophomore Epiphany Davis combined for a total of 227 blocks in 2007.
Lobdell led the Flames with 119 blocks, earning the Lena, Ill. native a ninth-place ranking in the UIC single-season record book.
Following two years of setbacks, redshirt sophomore Casie Sullivan is back on the court in her trained position as an outside hitter. After sitting out for the first two months last year, Sullivan stepped in as setter after Dana Van Syckle suffered a season-ending knee injury.
Junior Katerina Hanackova paced UIC's offense with 3.11 kills per set in 2007. Sophomore Taylor Szatkowski averaged a team-high 3.45 digs per set as the freshman libero.
UIC's next stop is the Doublewood Inn Classic hosted by North Dakota State on Sept. 5-6. Opponents include Northern Colorado, Texas-El Paso and host North Dakota State.
For more information on the Chicagoland Challenge, please click on the game notes above.
