Aug. 30, 2008

Box Score

Chicago, Ill. - The UIC volleyball team redeemed itself on Saturday afternoon with a five-set win (25-15, 23-25, 22-25, 25-15, 15-8) over DePaul in the consolation match at the Chicagoland Challenge.

Junior Katerina Hanackova led UIC on both sides of the net with 17 kills and 23 digs. Setter Dana Van Syckle picked up a career-high 23 digs. Epiphany Davis totaled six blocks on the afternoon.

Sarah Cullen recorded a double-double for DePaul with 12 kills and 15 digs. DePaul and UIC went point-for-point in set five until the Flames powered to a 15-8 win to clinch the match victory, allowing the Blue Demons just one point in the final nine.

UIC came out strong offensively in the first set with a 12-4 run. DePaul stormed back with four straight points to get within reach, but the Flames recorded a second burst to take an eight-point advantage (17-9). Following a timeout by DePaul, UIC rolled to a 25-15 victory in set one.

The Blue Demons refocused in the second set, sparking a 9-4 burst before Hanackova ended the run on a kill. The Flames tie the set at 10-10 with four unanswered points. Down by four late in the frame, DePaul posted a strong comeback late in the frame to even the score at 1-1 (25-23).

UIC took an early 7-3 advantage in set three. The Blue Demons put together a 7-2 run late in the set to continue the momentum in their favor (25-22) with a .256 attack percentage.

The Flames dominated in the fourth set to coast to a 25-15 victory. UIC held the Blue Demons to a zero attack percentage to tie up the match.

The Flames are back in action next weekend when they compete in the Doublewood Inn Classic hosted by North Dakota State, Sept. 5-6. In addition to the Bison, UIC will face Northern Colorado and Texas-El Paso.