Oct. 30, 2010
Box Score
Box Score in PDF Format
CHICAGO - The UIC volleyball team sent off its four seniors in style on Saturday afternoon by posting a straight-set victory over the visiting Wright State Raiders on Senior Day, 3-0 (25-16, 25-14, 25-21).
The Flames (12-14, 7-7 Horizon League) got off to a fast start on Saturday, controlling the opening set from the get-go. UIC initially trailed, 4-2, but the team rattled off four straight kills to take a lead they would not relinquish. Kelsey Safranek led all players with seven kills in the opening game.
The Flames continued to control the second set, opening up an early 11-3 advantage following a kill by Kate Eldred. Wright State would come no closer than seven points the rest of the frame as UIC cruised to a 25-14 set win.
The third set was the closest of the trio. The two teams traded points early on and the set was tied at 11 apiece until the Flames rattled off five straight points to take a 16-11 lead. The Raiders (8-17, 3-9 Horizon League) fought back and cut the lead to two at 23-21, but following a UIC timeout, the Flames scored two more points to seal the match.
"We played great team defense," said UIC head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley. "Everyone stepped up today to get this win."
The Flames recorded 60 digs in the three-set match to just 35 for the visiting Raiders.
Safranek posted a double-double for the second straight day, leading all players with 14 kills in the match. She hit .500 (14-2-24) and committed only two errors. The sophomore also led everyone with 17 digs in the contest.
"Kelsey is getting better every set," said Schumacher-Cawley. "Not only is she killing balls, but she's playing great defense too."
Saturday marked the final regular season appearance at the Flames Athletic Center for the quartet of Taylor Szatkowski, Epiphany Davis, Jessica Dalke and Casie Sullivan who were all honored in a pre-match ceremony.
On Saturday, Szatkowski recorded 16 digs including several acrobatic efforts in the third set, while Davis led all players with three solo blocks including one to earn UIC's match-winning point. Dalke led everyone with 41 assists and chipped in with seven digs; Sullivan was unable to play in the contest due to an injury, however the four-year captain made a ceremonial start in her final match at home.
"The seniors all came to play and did great things. Taylor, Piff [Davis] and Jess all did great things on the court and Casie continued to be a leader for us."
UIC will step out of conference play on Tuesday, Nov. 2 for a match at Marquette at 7 p.m.
