Sept. 10, 2010
Box Score
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The UIC volleyball team began the Best Western Invitational hosted by the University of North Florida on Friday morning by dispensing the Charleston Southern Lady Buccaneers, 3-1 (25-20, 21-25, 25-19, 25-19). Despite a slip during the second set, the Flames (3-3) were in command of for much of the early-morning match.
The Flames controlled the opening set with redshirt sophomore Janise Dismuke carrying a bulk of the load. The Peoria, Ill. native has been one of the Flames most consistent performers in 2010 and Friday was no exception. Dismuke had five kills and hit at a .714 (5-0-7) clip in the opening set. UIC claimed the set, 25-20.
Charleston Southern answered in the second set, taking advantage of some poor passing by the Flames to even the match at one game apiece. It was back-and-forth for most of the game until the Lady Buccaneers pulled away, 25-21.
The third set was more UIC. The Flames ripped off an early 9-3 lead following a kill by Epiphany Davis on a helper from Jessica Dalke. Charleston Southern called a timeout, regrouped and went on an 8-2 run to pull within two at 11-9. UIC snatched the momentum back and won the set, 25-19 on a kill by Janise Dismuke.
The fourth set followed the same pattern as the third with the Flames leading 11-4 only to surrender five straight points and allow the Lady Bucs to pull within two, 11-9. Head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley called a timeout that effectively ended the run and lead to three straight points by UIC. A few minutes later, Nicole Allgood recorded the match-winning kill to give her team the victory.
"We did some good things out there this morning," said Schumacher-Cawley. "We made some good changes in the fourth set and picked it up after the timeout to finish it off."
Dismuke tied a career-high with 15 kills, while Kelsey Safranek put down 15 of her own. Dismuke had a marvelous game on both offense and defense, producing a career-high .682 hitting percentage (15-0-22) and seven block assists.
"Janise had an outstanding game," said Schumacher-Cawley. "She's terminating a lot of balls and putting herself in spots to succeed."
As a team, UIC recorded a season-high nine blocks on Friday morning, including four in the first set.
The Flames will be back on the court later today at 4:00 p.m. CT when they face the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Following great response this morning, UICFlames.com will feature a live in-game blog once again, so check back later this afternoon.
