Sept. 23, 2010
CHICAGO - In another busy weekend ahead, the UIC volleyball team will host a pair of Horizon League matches in the coming days as they get set to go up against a pair of familiar squads, Valparaiso and Loyola.
On Friday, the Flames (6-6, 1-1 Horizon League) will welcome the Valparaiso Crusaders (11-2, 1-1) to the Physical Education Building for a match at 7 p.m. The following afternoon, cross-town rival Loyola (6-6, 0-2 Horizon League) invades UIC at 4 p.m.
During the 2009 campaign, the Crusaders were the only team in conference play that the Flames failed to notch a victory against. UIC was swept twice last season at the hands of the Crusaders. Head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley's bunch fared slightly better against the Ramblers by posting a straight-set win in Rogers Park before dropping a five-set heartbreaker on their home court to close out the regular season.
Back to the present, the Flames have dropped two-of-three to open the season-long five-match homestand. Following a quick sweep of visiting Youngstown State on Sept. 17, UIC has been blanked itself at the hands of Cleveland State and Evansville.
In the back-to-back losses, the Flames committed eight service errors, including five in the deciding set against Evansville on Tuesday. As a team, UIC has committed 43 attacking errors and combined to attack at a lowly clip of .098 the last two times out.
Despite the miscues against the Vikings and Purple Aces, the Flames rank fourth in the conference in hitting percentage with a mark of .203 through twelve matches. Individually, redshirt sophomore Janise Dismuke leads all players in the Horizon League in hitting at a clip of .355 this year. UIC also ranks in the top five in the league in assists (487) and kills (522).
Schumacher-Cawley believes that these are positive things to build on as the Flames begin the second weekend of Horizon League play.
"The team came in focused on had some great practices this week," said the second-year bench boss. "Individually we're doing some things well, but we need to work even more and get better as a team and improve each time we're out there."
In addition to the non-stop action on the court this weekend there are several great promotions taking place. Friday, Sept. 24 is the annual "Wear the Letters Cookout" for UIC Students. Beginning at 6:15, students can enjoy FREE food courtesy of the Flames. Stop by the Fury table outside near Flames Field to pick up your coupon for some delicious Connie's food.
The UIC Athletic Alumni Club is also holding a cookout on Friday night. For $30, you'll be able to receive admission to both the volleyball and soccer matches and food and drink. For more details, please contact Lisa Meindl (lisam@uic.edu).
Saturday afternoon is "Vertically Gifted Day" with the volleyball team. Anyone taller than UIC outside hitter Casie Sullivan (5-foot-11) will receive complimentary admission to the match.
If you cannot make it to the Physical Education Building for the match-up against the Ramblers, don't sweat because the contest will be shown 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.
