Aug. 19, 2011

CHICAGO - UIC volleyball newcomers, Dominique Aramburu (Chicago, Ill./Mother McAuley), Tyler Jones (Chicago, Ill./Jones College Prep) and Molly McCoy(St. Charles, Ill./Wheaton Academy) have finished two weeks of practice at the collegiate level, and with the season beginning Saturday at 11:00 a.m. in the Flames Athletic Center with an intrasquad scrimmage, the three have been hard at work in preparation for the season.

Aramburu hails from Chicago and like head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley and assistant coach Ellen Hayes, she attended Mother McAuley. The newcomer assisted her team to four conference championships in the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference. During her junior season she helped the Mighty Macs to a sectional and regional championship and another regional championship during her final campaign at Mother McAuley. Aramburu was a three-time captain to her team and received the MVP award and all-conference honors as a senior.

Jones, a Chicago native, joins the Flames from Jones College Prep, where she was a four-time letterwinner. During her time with the Eagles, Jones helped her team to three Red South Conference championships, three sectional championships, one regional championship and an undefeated season during her junior campaign. Jones was selected to be team captain during her junior and senior season, and also earned MVP honors those same campaigns. As a junior, she was an all-city, all-region and all-state honoree.

McCoy stands at 6' and is an outside hitter from St. Charles, Ill., and attended Wheaton Academy, where she was a four-time letterwinner. As a freshman, McCoy assisted her team to a Christian Suburban Conference championship and a regional championship. McCoy was a three-time captain to her team and garnered MVP honors three of her four seasons with the Warriors, in addition to earning an all-conference selection as a junior.

UICFlames.com sat down with the three newcomers to discuss a range of topics, including the first two weeks of practice and goals they have for the fall.

UICFlames.com:How have the first two weeks of practice been?

DA:"The first two weeks have gone really well. It has been a physical and mental challenge, but all of my teammates have helped, which makes it easier to push through during those tough times. It helps that there are so many of us incoming freshman because we are all able to relate to one another. It really feels like we are in it together."

TJ: "The practices have been a change from the high school and club seasons because it is much more difficult, but in a good way. It feels good to get through each practice together. All of my teammates are welcoming and motivating to all of the new players, which has made the transition much easier."

MM:"The first two weeks of practice have been challenging, but manageable. As I was preparing for the start of practice I felt a little nervous about the physical conditioning and meeting my new teammates, but the transition has been good. I have learned a lot from the coaches and I love UIC. The campus is great and everyone has been welcoming."

UICFlames.com:Discuss some of the goals you have for the season.

DA:"As far as team goals, of course I wanted us to all mesh and have chemistry, but also have fun. When everyone is having a good time and we are winning, that's fun. As far as individual goals, I would like to grow as a player, both in physical ability and knowledge on the court."

TJ:"A team goal I have is to establish trust on the court. I feel as though once there is trust on the court, all of the skills and hard work will fall into place. The first goal I have for myself is to get healthy, but after that, the goal is always to improve my game. I want to be the best that I can be for myself and my teammates. Also, I would like to be a provide support both on and off the court for my teammates. I don't want to get so wrapped up in improving my game that I'm not there for the other people who need someone."

MM:"As a team, we would really like to win the Horizon League Conference. As a team we are all focusing on that goal each day in practice. "

UICFlames.com:What are you looking forward to most about this Saturday's Blue-Red scrimmage?

DA:"I am excited for all of the families to be there. When I was growing up, the families have all known each other, and that makes it a good time to have the players and parents together. I am also excited to play with a crowd in a competitive setting."

TJ:"I am looking forward to feeling the energy and seeing how people perform when it really counts. I know it's a scrimmage, but I think that if there is a scoreboard, it counts. I am looking forward to meeting everyone's family because I am a family oriented person and I think we are all in this together now."

MM:"I am ready to compete in a more fan-like atmosphere. I know there are a lot of families coming and even some teams from the area, so it will be a good time to be able to perform again."

Aramburu, Friel, Jones, McCoy, and the rest of the Flames begin their season Saturday with the third annual Blue-Red scrimmage at 11:00 a.m. (CT), followed by a family, friends and alumni barbeque at 12:30 p.m., both events will be held at the Flames Athletic Center. Tickets to the barbeque are available for purchase at the door.

--UIC--