Aug. 25, 2011

CHICAGO - The UIC volleyball team was selected to finish sixth in the pre-season poll, as released by the league office Wednesday. The votes are determined by the coaches within the league and each coach is asked to rank the Horizon League teams in order of finish, leaving their team off the ballot.

The Flames received 31 points in the poll after compiling a 7-9 record during the 2011 season, including wins over Youngstown State, Wright State and Loyola during both season appearances and Green Bay at home. The Flames faced regular season champion, Milwaukee, in the first round of the Horizon League Championship, and fell 3-0 to conclude their season.

Milwaukee was tabbed for a first-place finish, collecting 60 points, followed by Cleveland State in second place with 52 points to edge out third-place finishers, Butler and Valparaiso, who collected 51 points.

Green Bay was the fifth-place pick with 33 points, and was trailed by UIC with 31 points. Loyola, Wright State and Youngstown State rounded out the poll, collecting 21, 17 and 8 points, in that order.

The Flames begin their 2011 campaign Friday at the CEFCU Classic against Nebraska-Omaha at 2:30 p.m. (CT) at the Renaissance Coliseum located on Bradley's campus in Peoria, Ill.

2011 Pre-Season Poll

1. Milwaukee 60 points

2. Cleveland State 52 points

3. Butler 51 points

3. Valparaiso 51 points

5. Green Bay 33 points

6. UIC 31 points

7. Loyola 21 points

8. Wright State 17 points

9. Youngstown State 8 points