Nov. 8, 2010
Box Score
Box Score in PDF Format
MACOMB, Ill. - The UIC volleyball team wrapped up the non-conference portion of the 2010 slate on Monday night with a straight-set victory on the road over the Western Illinois Fighting Leathernecks (18-25, 17-25, 14-25).
The Flames (13-15) made quick work of the Fighting Leathernecks (8-20) on Monday night and posted their sixth and final non-conference victory of the season in just one hour and 18 minutes.
The Flames took control early on in the match and cruised to a 25-18 victory in the first game. Kelsey Safranek and Janise Dismuke carried much of the offensive load early, combining for 10 kills on the first set.
The second set was more of the same for UIC as they jumped out to a quick 7-3 lead before the Fighting Leathernecks (8-20) came back with a 5-1 run to cut the lead to just one at 8-7. The Flames countered with a five-point run of their own to extend the lead to six and never look back en route to a 25-17 win. Safranek continued to pace the offensive attack in the second set, adding seven more kills. The sophomore was also strong on defense and led all players in the match with seven digs through two sets.
As a team, UIC hit .500 (17-2-30) in the second set.
The Flames continued to cruise as the teams returned to the court for the third set. UIC exploded to an early 8-1 lead following an ace by Safranek. As it did in the second set, Western Illinois mounted another comeback, posting an identical 5-1 run to cut the score to 9-6. Once again, the Flames fired back with four straight points to make it 13-7. The Flames built the lead to 22-14 and three consecutive kills by Safranek, all off assists from Jessica Dalke, sealed the win for the visiting team.
"It was another great team win for us," said UIC head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley after the match. "Nicole [Allgood] and Jess [Dalke] each had four aces, Kelsey played great and Jess did a great job distributing the ball and keeping everyone involved. Everyone pitched in tonight."
Safranek posted her fourth straight double-double and ninth overall this season for UIC, leading all players with 19 kills and tying teammate Taylor Szatkowski with a match-high 11 digs. Safranek also attacked at a match-high clip of .455 (19-4-33) in the triumph.
Dismuke was also in double-figures with 11 kills and Dalke led all players with 37 helpers on Monday night.
The Flames will wrap up the regular season this weekend with a pair of Horizon League matches in Wisconsin. UIC will head to Green Bay on Friday night for a pivotal contest against the Phoenix at 7 p.m. Saturday, the Flames will travel to Milwaukee to play the conference's regular-season-champions, the Panthers at 7 p.m. in the regular season finale.
The 2010 Horizon League Volleyball Championship begins on Thursday, Nov. 18 in Milwaukee. Stay tuned to UICFlames.com for more details on whom and when the Flames play first.
