Sept. 24, 2010

Box Score

CHICAGO - With their backs against the wall and trailing two sets to none, the UIC volleyball team staged a ferocious comeback to take the next two before dropping a heartbreaking fifth set to the Valparaiso Crusaders on Friday night, 3-2 (18-25, 15-25, 25-22, 25-19, 15-17).

"We showed a lot of resolve tonight, but we need to bring it from the start," said UIC head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley.

The Flames (6-7, 1-2 Horizon League) did not show much vigor in the first two sets, falling 25-18 and 25-15 in back-to-back frames. UIC came out of the 10-minute break with a renewed energy and blitzed the Crusaders (12-2, 2-1 Horizon League) in the third and opened up an early 10-5 advantage following a kill by Kelsey Safranek. Valparaiso went on a 10-6 run to counter, but the Flames kept fighting to earn the set victory, 25-22.

UIC continued the onslaught in the fourth by posting their highest hitting percentage of the evening at .370 (13-5-32). The Flames also played well on the defensive end in the fourth, collecting three solo blocks from Aubrey Sniegowski, Epiphany Davis and Janise Dismuke.

"Everyone contributed tonight, even our injured players were out there supporting their teammates," said Schumacher-Cawley. "We had great senior leadership tonight, but we really need it to continue moving forward."

The fifth set got off to an ominous start for UIC as they fell behind 5-1 early. The Flames went on a quick 4-0 run with a pair of kills from Safranek and an ace from senior Casie Sullivan. Valpo rebounded to take a 13-9 lead before one last push by the Flames eventually led to a 14-13 advantage in the decisive frame. The teams traded points until successive attacking errors by UIC sent Valpo home victorious, 17-15.

With the loss, UIC moves to 1-1 in five-set matches this season.

"I'm proud that we played well as a team tonight," said Schumacher-Cawley. "We have to keep fighting and we have to work to get better each day."

Safranek tied a career high with 15 kills in the match, tying Valpo's Katie Britton for high honors. Dismuke added 12 kills and four blocks for UIC.

UIC senior Jessica Dalke has six kills and posted a match-high .417 hitting percentage (minimum 10 attempts). The setter also handed out 37 helpers on the night.

The Flames conclude the five-match homestand tomorrow afternoon when cross-town rival Loyola invades the Physical Education Building at 4 p.m.