UIC Volleyball Notes in PDF Format

Oct. 4, 2010

CHICAGO - The UIC volleyball team will look to take another leap this week when Horizon League foes Milwaukee and Green Bay head south down I-94 for a pair of conference clashes on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Through six Horizon League matches this season, the Flames (8-8, 3-3 Horizon League) have lost as many contests as they've won, posting a 3-3 record in the early going; that mark is reflective of the 2010 campaign as a whole with UIC having gone eight up and eight down so far this season. One discrepancy that the team would like to see improved is its record on the home court; the Flames are just 3-5 at the UIC Pavilion and Physical Education Building, while going 5-3 in true road tests and neutral site matches.

"We have a great opportunity to play two of the top teams in the Horizon League this week," said UIC head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley. "Both Milwaukee and Green Bay are very competitive and play hard every night."

UIC has received plenty of outstanding individual efforts this season, but Schumacher-Cawley knows that the Flames are at their best and enjoy success when they all come together and play as a total team.

"We must keep working hard as a team to create the best situation possible for ourselves as we head into the second round of conference play," said Schumacher-Cawley.

The Panthers (8-7, 5-0 Horizon League) come in on Tuesday at 7 p.m. with an unblemished record in league play and as winners of their last six matches after struggling through a preseason slate that saw them go 3-7. Milwaukee does it largely with defense; the Panthers lead the Horizon League with 2.51 blocks per set and rank fourth with 16.30 digs per set this season. Individually, Natalie Schmitting, Kerri Schuh, and Rachel Neuberger all rank amongst the top 10 in the conference in blocking. Milwaukee junior Morgan Potter is the reigning Horizon League Defensive Player of the week after recording 46 digs (5.11 digs per set) and helping the Panthers go 2-0 last week.

Green Bay (6-12, 2-3 Horizon League) comes to town Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. having dropped their last match at home against Valparaiso on Saturday in four sets. The Phoenix is 4-10 away from home this season.

Recently, Green Bay has received a spark from freshman Lyndsay Zabkowicz who did not have a single kill on the season entering Thursday's match against Chicago State. The rookie made the most of her opportunity, however, and finished he three-match homestand with 27 kills to only three errors. She posted a career-high 17 kills in Saturday's loss against Valparaiso.

Both midweek matches will be played inside the UIC Physical Education Building (901 W. Roosevelt Rd.) and begin at 7 p.m. The contests will also be shown live on the Horizon League Network.

Fans can listen to podcasts featuring exclusive interviews with UIC head coaches, staff and student-athletes 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.