Aug. 16, 2012
CHICAGO -The UIC volleyball team earned a fourth-place spot with 29 points in the Horizon League preseason poll, it was announced by the conference office Thursday afternoon.
The Flames return their 2011 squad, along with the addition of two newcomers.
Among the returners is senior Kelsey Safranek (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South) and sophomore Sara Sternard (Clarendon Hills, Ill./Westmont). The duo closed out the 2011 slate with Horizon League honors. Safranek earned her second all-League honor, while Sternard was named to the all-Newcomer team. Both were selected as the Horizon League "Offensive Player of the Week" during the season.
Safranek returns after pacing the League with 466 kills during the season.
Milwaukee was selected as the preseason favorite with 49 points, followed by Cleveland State (43 points) and Valparaiso with 36 points. UIC edged Green Bay (26 points), while Loyola, Wright State and Youngstown State rounded out the poll with 21, 11 and nine points, respectively.
The Flames open conference play Sept. 21 against Valparaiso inside the Flames Athletic Center.
2012 Preseason Poll
Rank School, (1st), Points
1. Milwaukee, (7), 49
2. Cleveland State, (1), 43
3. Valparaiso, 36
4. UIC, 29
5. Green Bay, 26
6. Loyola, 21
7. Wright State, 11
8. Youngstown State, 9
