July 24, 2015 The 2015-16 academic year begins in 31 days and UICFlames.com counts down the Top 25 Flames over the summer months (June 8-July 31). Each sport will be featured over eight weeks as we preview the upcoming year in UIC Athletics. In this installment of 'Top 25 Flames for 2015-16', we feature volleyball's setter
Nicole Johnson. Last season, the redshirt sophomore was only the second player ever in program history to receive the Horizon League Freshman of the Year award. Johnson was also honored with placement on the All-Horizon League Team and All-Freshman Team.
In her first year of eligibility, Johnson ranked 14th nationally with 1,365 assists and sixth with 11.67 assists per set. She recorded 55 or more assists on seven occasions and capped the year with the program's eighth highest single-season assist total.
Johnson was voted Horizon League Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 8 after averaging an outstanding 15.36 assist per set at the Windy City Invitational (Sept. 5-6). The next weekend, she collected a season-high of 67 assists against Western Illinois (Sept. 13) proceeded by 66 in the five-set win over Indiana (Sept. 12).
Johnson contributed seven of UIC's 22 double-doubles. She compiled 227 digs and led the Flames with 26 service aces.
TOP 25 FLAMES June 8 - Jake Dahlberg June 10 - Stephenee Yancy June 12 - Thomas Villamil June 15 - Elaine Heflin June 17 - Tai Odiase June 19 - Ruvanna Campbell June 22 - Michael Crepeau June 24 - Brianna Hines June 26 - Kei Ishimaru June 29 - Kelly Fritz July 1 - Mitch Granger July 3 - Jackie Altansarnai July 6 - Trent Jarrett July 8 - Kelsey Jensen July 10 - Kyle Hauser July 13 - Nicole Szabo July 15 - Mickey McDonald July 17 - Desirae Ranberg July 20 - Andrew Putna July 22 - Tiana Mack-Miller
