Aug. 24, 2011

CHICAGO - UIC volleyball newcomers, Dominique Aramburu (Chicago, Ill./Mother McAuley), Tracy Friel (Crystal Lake, Ill./Crystal Lake Central), Tia Incapreo (Hampshire, Ill./Hampshire) Tyler Jones (Chicago, Ill./Jones College Prep) and Molly McCoy (St. Charles, Ill./Wheaton Academy) have finished a little over two weeks of practice at the collegiate level, and with the season beginning Friday at the CEFCU Classic as Bradley plays host to the two-day event in Peoria, Ill.

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.

Friel, a setter, joins the Flames from Crystal Lake, Ill., where she was a three-time letterwinner at Crystal Lake Central. During her tenure with the Tigers, Friel assisted her team to three Fox Valley Conference championships, in addition to a sectional and regional championship as a junior. She captained the squad for three seasons and earned the MVP honor upon the conclusion of her sophomore season. Friel is also a two-time all-Fox Valley Conference recipient.

Incapreo joins the Flames from Hampshire, Ill., where she earned three letters in volleyball and helped her team to four Big North Conference Championships, in addition to two sectional and regional championships. As a senior, Incapreo was selected as the Whip-Purs MVP, while receiving all-conference, all-city and all-region honors during her junior and senior campaigns.

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."

TF: "They have been great. I came in knowing there would be a lot of work to do and there was, but it feels like we are improving each day. The chemistry has improved since we started two weeks ago and I think we are going to be a strong team."

TI: "The first couple of days were a difficult transition, but it didn't take me too long to get adjusted. I regained my confidence and entered each practice with a purpose. The team has been very supportive, and we all helped each other get through each day. "

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."

TF: "As a team, we would like to win the conference championship and I think it would be great to be a part of that. As an individual, I would like to learn every day. I want go in the gym each day and get better. I don't want to get a point where I think I can't improve because there is always room to make improvements."

TI: "As a team, I would like to be the first volleyball team at UIC to win the Horizon League championship. I would like to contribute to the team as best as I can and push myself each day at practice. I want to remain competitive and focused on doing things the correct way."

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. "

--UIC--