UIC Match Notes (.pdf)

MACOMB - Western Illinois looks to keep the early season momentum rolling as the Fighting Leathernecks travel to the Windy City to take on in-state rival Illinois-Chicago Tuesday (Aug. 30) night. Western is fresh off a tournament title at the SIU-Edwardsville Invitational after going 3-1 over the weekend.

Western Illinois has not been 3-1 to begin a season since the 1994 campaign and will attempt to go 4-1 for the first time since 1990. The Fighting Leathernecks look to repeat their most recent trip to Chicago in 2009 when Western captured a 3-1 road victory over UIC. Junior middle hitter Katie Hosteng, who had a team-high 46 kills over the weekend, set a career-high with 19 kills in that match as a freshman.

 
SCOUTING UIC
Illinois-Chicago is 2-0 after wins over Nebraska-Omaha and Bradley at the Bradley Tournament over the weekend. UIC was tabbed to finish sixth in the Horizon League preseason poll and is under the guidance of third-year head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley. The Flames return 2010 all-Horizon League Conference selection junior outside hitter Kelsey Safranek and junior middle hitter Janise Dismuke. Safranek had 378 kills last season while Dismuke led the League in hitting percentage (.311). UIC leads the all-time series 23-15 and swept Western Illinois last season on Nov. 8, 2010 inside Western Hall.

EGAN PASSES 800 CAREER KILLS
Senior middle hitter Cait Egan put down 32 kills over the weekend and surpassed the 800 career kill milestone. She needs just 62 more kills to crack the program's top ten and 180 kills to become just the ninth player in school history to amass 1,000 career kills. She already ranks sixth in solo blocks (68) and seventh all-time in total blocks (288) in program history. She also ranks ninth all-time in block assists (220).

MCKAY CLOSES IN ON 100 WINS
Head coach Kym McKay, the longest tenured head coach in program history, needs just one more win to reach the 100-win plateau. She will join Western Illinois legend Juli Kartel (111) as the only coaches in program history to collect 100 career wins. The Fighting Leathernecks need just three more victories this season for McKay to capture her 200th career victory according to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA). She tallied 98 victories at Joliet Junior College from 1999-2002 prior to her start in Macomb. 

MILLER IMPRESSES EARLY
Freshman outside hitter Ann Miller, from Davenport, Iowa, has started the first four contests and has been a major contributor. She has been in double-digit digs in every match and her 58 digs (3.62 per set) ranks second behind junior Bridget Murphy on the squad. Miller has also recorded three consecutive double-doubles and is second on the squad with 45 kills (2.81 per set). Elsewhere, she has four service aces, seven total blocks and her 52.5 total points leads the team.

FETTER SHINES AT SETTER
Sophomore setter Sarah Fetter, a transfer from Illinois State, has racked up big numbers over her first four matches as a Leatherneck. The 5-foot-9 physical blocking setter averaged 10.12 assists per set at the SIUE Invitational and recorded her first double-double (45 assists and 14 digs) in the come-back win over Kent State. Fetter also collected 11 kills, three service aces and 36 digs over the weekend.

MURPHY SETS CAREER HIGH
Junior libero Bridget Murphy was seemingly everywhere on the court over the weekend at the SIUE Invitational. The New Lenox, Ill. native compiled 94 digs for a 5.88 digs per set average and set a new career high with 34 digs in the come-back win over Kent State. Murphy, who also set a career-high with five service aces against Kent State, dished out 17 assists over the weekend.

FRESHMAN CLASS CONTRIBUTING
Outside hitter Ann Miller was not the only freshman who helped the Leathernecks win the SIUE Invitational. Defensive specialist Molly Murphy has started every match and leads the squad with eight service aces. Meanwhile right side Samantha Fournier has provided a huge spark to the offense off the bench with 29 kills and a team-high .323 attack percentage. Fournier is also second on the squad with eight total blocks.