Strus breaks UIC dig record

Maggie Strus recorded 16 digs Saturday to become UIC’s all-time dig leader with 1,533. Photo: Steve Woltmann

Redshirt senior libero Maggie Strus totaled 16 digs against Youngstown State Saturday to become UIC’s all-time dig leader at 1,533. The Flames put down more kills than the visitors (57-53) but YSU used 11 aces and 13 blocks to defeat UIC, 3-1 (25-23, 25-15, 22-25, 25-20).

Strus needed 30 digs this weekend to break Carlyn Fisk’s (1988-91) record and collected 15 Friday night against Cleveland State. She had 11 digs through three sets Saturday and compiled five in the final frame to set the record. Strus, who set UIC’s single-season record with 600 digs in 2012, has 12 consecutive double-digit efforts.

Junior Stephenee Yancy, who ranks fourth in the nation with 314 kills, put down a match-high 18 kills on 39 attempts. Yancy, who has double-digit kills in all 19 matches this season, had six kills on 11 attempts in the fourth set. Yancy  collected six total blocks and has 28 blocks over her last five matches.

Redshirt freshman Nicole Johnson had 49 assists and a career-high 17 digs for her sixth double-double. Johnson, who leads the nation with 868 assists, had seven digs in the fourth set.

UIC continues Horizon League action this week, heading to Wright State Friday and Oakland Saturday. Oakland (11-7, 3-0 HL) swept Wright State (3-14, 0-3 HL) at home Friday night.