Aug. 19, 2011

CHICAGO - With the start of the 2011 regular seasons only a week away, the UIC volleyball and soccer teams will tune up with the first home events of the year this weekend at the Flames Athletic Center and Flames Field, respectively.

The day will get underway at 11 a.m. when the volleyball team holds its annual Red and Blue scrimmage at the Flames Athletic Center. The event is open to the public and it will be the first opportunity to see the Flames in action and their exciting mix of returning standouts and promising newcomers.

Following the scrimmage, head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley and the team invites everyone to stick around for the annual barbeque which will begin at approximately 12:30 p.m. Tickets will be available at the door for the event.

Later on Saturday, the soccer team will host Community Day at Flames Field in conjunction with its exhibition match against Lewis University. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and admission is free. There will be balloon artists, face painters and much more. Many of UIC's student-athletes will also be on hand to interact with fans. At 7:00 p.m. the Flames will take on Lewis in their final exhibition match of the year.

Volleyball begins its regular season on Friday, August 26 when it travels to Peoria, Ill. for the CEFCU Classic, hosted by Bradley University. The Flames will face Nebraska-Omaha at 2:30 p.m. Soccer will kick off its campaign a day later when it entertains Marquette at Flames Field at 7 p.m.