Oct. 6, 2009
Box Score
CHICAGO - Behind a spectacular offensive outing, the UIC volleyball team defeated cross-town foe Loyola in three sets (25-20, 25-20, 25-21) on Wednesday night in Gentile Gymnasium in Rogers Park.
The Flames (9-10, 4-2 Horizon) opened up a tight contest with a quartet of kills from freshman Kelsey Safranek in the first set. With things knotted up at 10 apiece, UIC outscored the Ramblers (9-10, 2-4 Horizon) 11-6 to separate themselves for a first-set victory of 25-20.
Set two was an even affair late with both sides tied at 18, but errors would make the difference as the Flames only had a pair of miscues to the Ramblers eight to enter the locker room with a two-set lead.
After training 10-8 in the third set, UIC would not falter, scoring six straight behind four straight kills to take the lead. Loyola would even the score at 19, but would be limited as senior Lana Lobdell tallied three kills late to close out the set for the Flames sweep.
"I am very proud of the way the entire team played tonight," said head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley. "They fought for every point, and we must build on this and prepare for this weekend."
The victory marked the end of a 15-match losing skid for UIC at Gentile Gym.
Safranek led all Flames with 13 kills and had one error on the evening for a team-best .667 attack percentage. Lobdell and Epiphany Davis would add on eight kills apiece for one of the more even-keeled offensive displays for UIC in league play, as the squad stayed in control with the second-lowest team error total in the season.
UIC returns to the friendly confines of the Flames Athletic Center this weekend, hosting Butler on Saturday before a Valparaiso visit on Sunday. Both games, held at 4 p.m., will be streamed live on the Horizon League Network.
Fans can listen to podcasts featuring exclusive interviews with UIC head coaches, staff and student-athletes in two ways:
1. Download the free UIC Athletics Widget and click on the "UIC Flames Podcasts" link
2. Download podcasts for free on iTunes by searching "UIC Flames."
Fans wishing to learn more about affordable and flexible UIC ticket plans are encouraged to call 312-413-UIC1 or visit www.uicflames.com and click on the "Tickets" tab on the Flames home page.
