Sept. 10, 2011

Box Score

EVANSVILLE, Ind. - The UIC volleyball team defeated Southeast Missouri State, 3-2 (25-18, 23-25, 27-25, 19-25, 15-11) Saturday in the final match of the Dunn Hospitality Invitational at the Carson Center in Evansville, Ind. Kelsey Safranek (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South) was named to the all-tournament team.

"We had a great effort this afternoon," said head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley. "This was a great tournament to prepare us for conference play. We have to continue to get better with each opportunity we have."

The Flames (6-3) concluded the tournament on a high note as the squad downed the Redhawks in five sets. In addition to being named to the all-tournament team, Safranek knocked down 28 kills (.273) in the final match of the event. Redshirt junior Janise Dismuke (Peoria, Ill./Richwoods) added 16 kills at a clip of .400, while freshman Molly McCoy (St. Charles, Ill./Wheaton Academy) hammered 12 kills (.323). Sara Sternard (Clarendon Hills, Ill./Westmont) added eight kills at .333 and the Flames recorded a .249 hitting percentage in the victory over the Redhawks.

Sophomore captain MaryKate Imrie (Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg) recorded a career-high 65 assists, while leading UIC along with teammate, Maggie Strus (Hickory Hills, Ill./Stagg) with 17 digs a piece.

UIC picked up the first set (25-18), before dropping the second set in a 25-23 outcome. With the match at 1-1, the Flames entered the third set with a determined mindset and McCoy was able to hammer down a kill to tie the set at 25-25 and with two more kills the Flames were victorious in the third set with a 27-25 decision.

The Redhawks picked up the fourth set to send the match into the deciding set, where UIC jumped out to an early 3-0 lead. From there, the squad held on to record a 15-11, fifth set victory.

The Flames return to action in their first conference matchup of the season as the squad takes on Valparaiso Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. (CT) in Valparaiso, Ind.