Nov. 17, 2010
CHICAGO - Kelsey Safranek, a sophomore outside hitter for the UIC volleyball team, has been named to the 2010 All-Horizon League Team as selected by the conference's coaches, the league office announced Wednesday.
Safranek ranks among the conference's best in several statistical categories, ranking third in the Horizon League in kills with 3.35 per set and fifth in points with 3.60 per set.
The Downers Grove, Ill. native led the Flames with 368 kills this season and also tallied 239 digs, 34 blocks and 10 service aces this season. Earlier this season, Safranek was named to the UIC Invitational All-Tournament Team and the Best Western Invitational All-Tournament Team. At the Best Western Invitational, the sophomore helped her team capture the tournament championship by knocking off Kennesaw State, Troy and host North Florida.
The second-year student-athlete had several standout performances this season. She had a fantastic defensive weekend on Oct. 15-16 when she tallied a career-high 18 digs in back-to-back matches against Cleveland State and Youngstown State. On Oct. 22 at Loyola, Safranek hammered home a career-high 24 kills in a win over the Ramblers. She posted a 19-kill effort in a three-set win at Western Illinois on Nov. 8, and finally, during a stretch of five matches between Oct. 29 and Nov. 12, she recorded a double-double in every one of those contests.
Safranek notched a double-double 10 times this season, second most on the team.
"Kelsey has taken on a bigger role, improved her overall game and stepped up to the challenge this season," said UIC head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley. "This recognition is a reflection of our entire team. If it wasn't for the hard work and determination of Kelsey and her teammates, she would not have the opportunity to receive such a great honor."
This marks the second straight season that Safranek has been recognized by the Horizon League. Following her freshman campaign in 2009, she was named to the conference's All-Newcomer Team.
Milwaukee, which won the regular season championship, claimed two major awards; Kerri Schuh was voted Player of the Year, while teammate Rachel Neuberger was named Newcomer of the Year. The Panthers' Susie Johnson was named Coach of the Year and Valparaiso's Taylor Root claimed Defensive Player of the Year honors.
The 2010 Horizon League Championship begins on Friday afternoon at the Klotsche Center in Milwaukee. No. 6 UIC will face No. 3 Cleveland State in the first match at 4:30 p.m. followed by No. 4 Valpo taking on No. 5 Green Bay at 7 p.m. The top-seeded Panthers and second-seeded Butler Bulldogs have a bye until Saturday's semifinal action. Every match from Milwaukee can be seen live on the Horizon League Network.
