Oct. 9, 2011
Contact: Renee Adam
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CHICAGO, Ill. - The Cleveland State volleyball team notched their third straight road win in league play Sunday, as the Vikings defeated UIC, 3-0. CSU now holds a 13-5 overall record and a 6-1 mark in Horizon League play, while UIC falls to 12-7 (5-3 HL). Sunday's victory also secured second place in the league standings for the Vikings, as they trail Milwaukee who leads the league with an 8-0 record.
"We played very well tonight, I think we definitely improved on some things from last night's match which allowed us to get a three-set victory against UIC," head coach Chuck Voss said. "Kara played very well again tonight in all aspects of the game. She led us offensively and defensively which was great to see from her. I also thought that Jordan had a great match directing the offense and allowing us to attack from all positions."
Offensively the Vikings were led by the duo of Kara Koch and Marie Frease, as Koch tallied 16 kills and Frease added 12. Koch also led the defense, recording her sixth double-double of the season with 17 digs. Jordan Goad directed the CSU offense, posting 38 assists for the Vikings.
Set scores against the Flames were 25-23, 25-17, 25-20.
During the opening frame the Vikings and Flames traded points until CSU gained a 16-12 advantage with three straight points on a pair of Frease kills and a UIC error. Cleveland State was able to hold at least a two point lead until UIC tied the frame at 21-21 after forcing two CSU errors. The Vikings responded with two straight points of their own, and went on to take the set on a Jackie Dabbelt kill.
CSU controlled much of the second set, as the Vikings held the lead from the 6-5 mark on. The Vikings closed the frame with six straight points, including kills from Koch and Frease and a pair of Megan Barhorst service aces.
Despite falling behind at the beginning of the third set, the Vikings bounced back to take an 11-8 lead with a kill and service ace from Kerry Winchester and a UIC error. CSU held the lead for the remainder of the set and eventually earned the 25-20 win with a Frease kill and a Flames error.
"It was great to come away with three wins from this road swing, and going into next weekend we just need to continue to tighten some things up and continue reducing our errors," Voss said.
The Vikings will be back in action next weekend when they host Wright State and Butler in a pair of Horizon League contests. CSU will face Wright State at 7:00 p.m. on Friday (Oct. 14) and will then face Butler at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday (Oct. 15).
