Aug. 28, 2009
Box Score
DEKALB, Ill.- Down two games to one and engaged in a tight fourth set, the UIC volleyball team hunkered down to even its match against Western Illinois and eventually overwhelm the Fighting Leathernecks during the decisive fifth frame in a 3-2 (20-25, 27-25, 17-25, 25-23, 15-6) victory at the NIU Comfort Inn & Suites of Rochelle Invitational at Victor E. Court on Friday night.
The win was the first for the Flames (1-1) under first-year UIC head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley.
"It was a total team effort," said Schumacher-Cawley. "We competed and finished every point.
"It feels great," Schumacher-Cawley said when asked about earning her first win as the Flames' head coach. "To get the first win as a new staff and as a new program feels great. The girls fought hard."
Lana Lobdell registered a match-high 17 kills and five blocks, while Nicole Allgood (15 kills, 18 digs) and Casie Sullivan (14 kills, 12 digs) posted double-double efforts.
Setter Jessica Dalke had a match-best 51 assists with 10 digs.
Western Illinois (0-2) captured the first game by breaking a 10-10 draw with 5-0 rally that held for most of the frame.
The Flames were in dire straits during the second game, as the Fighting Leathernecks had game point at 24-21. But four straight UIC kills, including three by Allgood, put the Flames ahead by one at 25-24. After Western Illinois evened the game, UIC evened the match on a WIU attack error and Allgood's service ace.
It was a rough start in game three for the Flames, as Western Illinois rattled off the first four points and never looked back to take a 25-17 decision.
The Flames reciprocated in the fourth frame, going up 4-0 and eventually taking a 9-4 advantage. Western Illinois battled back and eventually took a five-point lead, yet UIC was undeterred. Lobdell hammered home five of the Flames' next seven points to put UIC back in front, and Sullivan sealed the deal with a kill of her own to force a fifth go-around.
UIC was in control most of the way in the final game, as two straight Sullivan strikes put UIC ahead early and started a 9-3 run that proved to be the key to the Flames' first 2009 victory.
The Flames round out the NIU Comfort Inn & Suites of Rochelle Invitational on Saturday, Aug. 29 with two matches, beginning at noon against Southern Illinois and concluding with a tournament finale against the host Huskies at 7 p.m.
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.
