Volleyball Preview Part 6: UIC
Aug. 17, 2007
Coming off its best finish since 1989, it is easy to understand the excitement that surrounds the 2007 UIC volleyball season. The Flames made their first conference title match appearance in nearly two decades and as far as the coaching staff is concerned, the standard has been set and the program is not looking back.
This year's motto is quite simple: Make it Happen.
The 2007 squad marks the first season that the Flames will feature a team entirely recruited by head coach Nancy Mueller. Since taking over the helm of the UIC volleyball program in 2004, Mueller and the coaching staff have recruited a certain personality and believe the hard work is finally going to pay off.
Despite losing three solid starters from the 2007 team, the Flames will look to their upper classmen to reach new heights and step up to the challenge. Seniors Katarina Nedeljkovic and Amanda Kenny will likely highlight the returnees as Nedeljkovic, an outside hitter, captured her second straight All-Horizon League nod while also leading the conference in service aces.
Kenny, a junior transfer last season, came barreling onto the floor at UIC and proved she was ready for business after earning Horizon League All-Newcomer team honors and ranking among the top three on the squad in kills, digs and blocks.
After sitting out last season as medical redshirts, sophomores Casie Sullivan and Emily Schaffer will return to the mix after soaking in Mueller's system from the sideline. Also entering the fray in 2007 are five newcomers, including freshman setter Dana Van Syckle, who was a three-time all-state and two-time all-area selection in Illinois.
With the standard set, the 2007 Flames have the recipe for success and know what it takes to reach their goals.
"We are going to use last year's accomplishments as a motivator," said Mueller. "We have set the standard and just getting to the championship match isn't good enough. We need to play at a level that we are capable of."
SETTERS
Although the Flames lost the school's all-time assist leader, Katie Kozak, to graduation, the team is still loaded with talent. After suffering a back injury last season that led to a medical redshirt, Casie Sullivan has bounced back, rehabbed and is ready to get back on the floor.
"When healthy, Casie is one of our best players," said Mueller. "Prior to her injury early last season, she was one of our go-to players and her teammates respect her and want to work hard so it makes her job easier."
In addition to solid setting skills, Sullivan is powerful and efficient on the attack and will be on the floor for the Flames this season.
Freshman Dana Van Syckle is UIC's second weapon at setter. A decorated high school player, Van Syckle brings consistency and vertical strength.
"Dana has experience and she sets a high level of play," said Mueller. "Her 5-foot-10 frame is going to be a large factor for us because we have had a smaller setter in the past. She can set every ball and this will cause some confusion for our opponents."
OUTSIDE HITTERS/RIGHT SIDE
The Flames return two starting outside hitters and a sophomore reserve that will bring a different dimension to the game after a successful spring season.
All-Horizon League selection Katarina Nedeljkovic, All-Newcomer team recipient Amanda Kenny and sophomore Katerina Hanackova will be collectively a force to be reckoned with as each brings a different weapon to the floor.
Nedeljkovic played in 121 of the team's 129 games as a junior, averaging 3.42 kills, 2.94 digs and a league-leading 0.45 service aces per game.
"Katarina is an all-around performer who can play outside or on the rightside," said Mueller. "She has improved her attacking efficiency and is doing a better job to keep the ball in play, so she will be our primary offensive weapon."
In Kenny's first season at UIC as a junior, she ranked third in kills (356) and digs (377) and blocks (56). She totaled 27 service aces, while rating second on the squad with 13 double-doubles. Back with three years of collegiate experience, Kenny will be a key factor for the Flames in 2007.
"Amanda has become a solid passer over the spring season," said Mueller. "She has numerous shots she can use, in addition to excellent blocking ability, so she will help us on both sides of the net."
Hanackova improved sharply in the latter half of the 2006 season, totaling 129 kills, 144 digs, 21 service aces and 14 total blocks her rookie season.
"Katerina has grown and enhanced her knowledge of the game," Mueller explained. "She does an excellent job of mixing up her shots instead of hitting blindly and is finally using her strengths to her advantage.
MIDDLE HITTERS
With the departure of All-Horizon League selection Ambria Springer, the middle hitter position is up for grabs in 2007 with three returnees and two newcomers battling for the job.
Sophomore Lana Lobdell returns this season bigger, stronger and with more confidence than last year as a freshman starter. Her forte will be blocking after totaling 92 in 2006, ranking second on the team.
"Besides her blocking ability, Lana can also hit different tempo sets that will throw off some of our opponents," said Mueller.
Junior Christin Hunt produced a career-best season last fall and worked hard in the spring to vie for a spot on the floor in 2007. After playing in 84 of the team's 129 games, Hunt established a career high in every category with 106 kills, 382 total attempts, seven assists and 39 digs.
"With tremendous versatility, she has the talent to play the middle or right side and will be somewhere on the floor this season," said Mueller.
Junior Keri Hee rounds out the returning three with solid blocking skills.
"Keri will help us on defense with her concrete blocking," said Mueller. "Not only will she be looked to on defense, she also improved her offensive game in the spring."
Also gunning for a starting job are sophomore transfer Epiphany Davis and freshman Chelsea Sloan.
Davis, a 6-foot-1 middle hitter from Wichita State, is hungry to play after redshirted her freshman season. Ready to get back onto the floor, Davis has vertical strength and can drill the ball on offense.
"We just need Epiphany to work on her timing and allow her to get comfortable with the setter," said Mueller.
Sloan brings versatility to her game, excelling in hitting and blocking. She is a physical player that will contribute immediately,
"Chelsea is not one of those players with a "wow" factor, but she is efficient and can come out and play right away for us," said Mueller.
DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST/LIBERO
Although the libero position is wide open, UIC will not be lacking in experience or talent. Senior Liz Hrebic is no stranger to this position, rotating in for the now-departed Julie Popp in several matches last season.
Hrebic brings senior leadership and a solid passing game to the floor, which will help the Flames in some degree.
"Liz's strength is passing and she has improved her defense," said Mueller.
Also returning from the 2006 squad is senior Ashley Martin, who has worn several hats in her years with the Flames. Martin has the ability to play outside and may lend a hand on defense as well.
"Ashley is quick and very effective laterally, so she will help us with her foot speed on defense," said Mueller.
After a year off with a medical redshirt her rookie season, sophomore Emily Schaffer is back on the scene and has the skills to contribute this season.
"Emily is a solid passer that reads the game well," said Mueller. "She will contribute somewhere on defense and on the serving side."
Emily McGinnis and Taylor Szatkowski will each be vying for time on the floor as freshmen. McGinnis, an all-conference selection from Chicago's Mother McAuley, knows what it takes to win championships. McGinnis has excellent volleyball knowledge and brings vocal leadership and energy to the floor.
"Emily is a feisty competitor who has great instincts for the game, so she has the potential to make an immediate impact on the defensive side of the ball," said Mueller.
Szatkowski is expected to really surprise people with her solid passing, defending, efficiency and jump serve. She will create a high standard for some of the players at the libero position.
"Taylor is as good of a libero as we have right now," said Mueller. "She brings a whole different element to the game and I think some of her teammates will be surprised."
SCHEDULE
The 2007 campaign features three NCAA tournament participants, 2007-08 Horizon League newcomer Valparaiso and one out-of-state tournament in South Carolina.
"The 2007 schedule is very exciting and competitive," said Mueller. "We're playing four teams that UIC has never competed against in school history, along with three NCAA Tournament participants."
After hosting the 2006 Chicagoland Challenge, the Flames travel to Evanston for this year's tournament. The Flames square off against DePaul, Northwestern and Loyola in the opening weekend of play on August 24 and 25.
UIC then heads to South Carolina to battle in the College of Charleston Invitational over Labor Day weekend, where they will face Charlotte for the first time in school history. The Flames will also challenge 2006 NCAA Tournament participants College of Charleston and Winthrop, in addition to Towson, in those two-day event.
The Flames open home action against Eastern Illinois on Tuesday, Sept. 4 before hosting the UIC Invitational on Sept. 7 and 8. UIC welcomes North Dakota State, McNeese State and Elon to the annual tournament. This marks the first time in history that UIC will meet each of the three teams.
UIC hosts Northern Illinois on Tuesday, Sept. 11 before heading into Horizon League action with two matches against 2006 Horizon League Tournament Champion UW-Milwaukee and UW-Green Bay mid-September.
UIC then travels to Valparaiso for the first meeting as Horizon League rivals on Friday, Sept. 21.
"With the addition of Valparaiso to the conference, we have an extra weekend of matches that are close to home, which is great for our team and fans," Mueller said.
The month of October includes nine matches against conference foes, with four at home and six on the road. The Flames also head to Peoria, Ill. to face Bradley on Monday, Oct. 22.
UIC wraps up the season in November with two road matches against Butler and Wright State, followed by contests against Valparaiso and Western Illinois at home on Nov. 10 and 11.
"I think the fans will be very excited to see the team this season and all the great opponents we have coming to the Flames Athletic Center," said Mueller.
UW-Milwaukee is the host university for the 2007 Horizon League Tournament, which is slated for Nov. 15-18 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
--Story provided by UIC Office of Sports Information
