Aug. 26, 2011

Box Score

Box Score (PDF)

PEORIA, Ill. - The UIC volleyball team opened the 2011 slate with a victory over Nebraska-Omaha in a 3-1 (25-19, 25-15, 16-25, 25-20) decision Friday in the opening match of the CEFCU Classic at the Renaissance Coliseum in Peoria, Ill.

The Flames (1-0) captured the first two games in convincing fashion, before dropping the third. Head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley's squad then regained their form in the fourth set to claim the first victory of the season.

"It was a good first win," Schumacher-Cawley said. "It was nice to see us compete against someone else. We did some nice things, and need to continue to improve every opportunity we have."

Redshirt freshman, Maggie Strus (Hickory Hills, Ill./Stagg) made her collegiate debut by claiming a team-high 11 kills, while also adding a match-high three service aces. Co-captain and redshirt junior, Janise Dismuke (Peoria, Ill./Richwoods) returned to her hometown, where she knocked down 10 kills at a clip of .391.

Co-captain MaryKate Imrie (Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg) picked up the first double-double of her career with the Flames as the sophomore had 14 digs, while handing out 35 assists. Freshman middle blocker Sara Sternard (Clarendon Hills, Ill./Westmont) also made her debut with the Flames and chipped in with a match-high six blocks.

UIC dropped the first point in the first game, which would be the only lead that UNO would find in the opening frame as the Flames captured a 2-1 lead and managed to maintain a buffer for the remainder of the game. UIC went on a three-point streak to capture a six-point lead (12-6), which was the largest lead of the game, before winning 25-19.

The Flames continued to play well as the teams traded points in the early going in the second set. The teams were tied at 12 when an ace by Justine Garcia (Chicago, Ill./Brooks) sparked a 13-3 run, which was capped off by an ace from Strus that put the Mavericks away in the second game.

After dropping the third set, UIC and UNO again exchanged points, before the Flames concluded the match on a convincing 10-5 run, which Dismuke finalized with her 10th kill.

UIC continues the CEFCU Classic Saturday, and faces host, Bradley, at 4:00 p.m. (CT) at the Renaissance Coliseum in Peoria, Ill. Fans can follow the action live through UICFlames.com.

--UIC--