Oct. 3, 2009
Final Stats
DAYTON, Ohio- The UIC volleyball team rallied back from a close first-set loss to rattle off decisions in three straight sets and defeat Wright State, 3-1 (25-27, 25-16, 25-19, 27-25) at the C.J. McLin Gymnasium on Saturday.
Casie Sullivan slammed down a season-best 19 kills to lead all hitters and pace the Flames (8-10, 3-2 Horizon League) to a key league road win. Sullivan also had 16 digs for her seventh double-double of the season.
"This team pulled together and fought the entire match," said UIC head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley. "They didn't give up and kept working for every point. We will take that win on the road and start preparing for Loyola."
Kelsey Safranek posted 13 kills, Epiphany Davis added 10 kills and Jessica Dalke set for 43 assists as the efficient Flames offense hit at a clip of .233 while serving for 14 aces.
A nip-and-tuck battle in the opening set eventually needed extra points to decide a winner when Sullivan tied up the match at 25-25, but the Raiders (8-10, 0-5 Horizon League) secured two straights points to take the first set.
Undeterred, UIC went up 10-5 to start the second set and, after Wright State crept back to within a point, pulled away with an 8-0 run for a decisive match-evening victory.
In somewhat similar fashion as the previous frame, the Flames went up early and saw the hosts rally back in the middle of the third set only to outscore Wright State 8-3 for a cushion of a lead that sent UIC to a 2-1 set advantage.
Just like the middle two sets were near mirror images, the fourth set resembled the first in its competitiveness. The Raiders led 20-15 and appeared close to forcing a fifth go-around, but UIC induced six Wright State miscues, including three service aces by Dalke, to take a 23-22 lead.
The two sides traded the lead until a Becca Awaa service error evened the set at 25-25 and gave the Flames the opportunity to close out the match. Davis smacked a go-ahead kill, and an attack error by Shaunda Sandifer gave the set, and the contest, to UIC.
The Flames will make the short drive to Rogers Park to face crosstown league rival Loyola inside Alumni Gym on Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m.
Fans can listen to podcasts featuring exclusive interviews with UIC head coaches, staff and student-athletes in two ways:
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