Sept. 2, 2010
CHICAGO - Following a runner-up finish at the Chicagoland Challenge last weekend, the UIC volleyball team will be back in action this weekend as they host the UIC Invitational at the UIC Pavilion.
The Flames will entertain Memphis, Kennesaw State and in-state rival Northern Illinois during the two-day event.
The first ball of the tournament will be served at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 3rd when the Northern Illinois Huskies battle Kennesaw State. The nightcap will feature the hosts taking on the Memphis Tigers at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday's docket features four matches. The morning session kicks off at 10:00 a.m. with the Flames hosting the Kennesaw State Owls. Following that match, the Huskies will square off against the Tigers. The evening session features a match between Memphis and the Owls before UIC and Northern Illinois compete for the Land of Lincoln bragging rights at 7:00 p.m.
The Flames come off of a runner-up finish in last weekend's Chicagoland Challenge hosted by DePaul. UIC put up a furious rally on Friday night and overcame a two-game deficit against the host Blue Demons to win 3-2 and advance to the championship the following night against Northwestern. Schumacher-Cawley's bunch dropped that match, 3-0.
Several student-athletes enjoyed standout performances in Lincoln Park, including Kelsey Safranek and Janise Dismuke who each set career highs with 21 and 15 kills, respectively, against the Blue Demons on Aug. 27th.
Senior Casie Sullivan was the lone Flame named to the Chicagoland Classic All-Tournament Team after amassing 25 digs, 20 kills and three aces over the weekend. Along with teammate Nicole Allgood, Sullivan is tied for seventh in the Horizon League with three service aces in the early going.
It's a new week and UIC head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley hopes that many of the miscues that plagued her team in Saturday's loss to the Wildcats are a thing of the past.
"We've had a good week of practice," said Schumacher-Cawley who is in her second year at the helm. "We're getting better every day and looking forward to showing that improvement over the weekend on our home court.
"UIC is excited to host three great volleyball programs this weekend," said head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley. "I'm expecting us to play three very competitive matches and hopefully we can come away 3-0."
The Flames are also excited to host one of several terrific promotions beginning with Friday's home opener. All fans who attend the match wearing Spandex will receive unlimited popcorn. That's right, it's Spandex Night. You can be just like a volleyball player with spandex and get popcorn, too! Saturday night is Back to School Night and all kids in attendance for the evening session will receive a free UIC sling bag.
For UIC students, it's also a FREE FURY T-Shirt pick-up night. Admission for students, as always, is free with a valid i-Card.
General admission tickets for the Friday night session (two games) is just $6. The same goes for Saturday when $6 will gain admission for both sessions (four games).
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.
