CHICAGO – The UIC women's volleyball team dropped a 3-0 (25-20, 25-17, 25-20) decision to Bowling Green Saturday afternoon in the final match of the UIC Invitational. The Flames closed out their home invitational with one win and an 11-2 overall record.

BGSU earned the UIC Invitational crown after an undefeated performance. The Falcons did not drop a single set against all three opponents they faced.  

Graduate Transfer Kelsie Groot represented UIC on the All-Tournament team, registering a team-high 29 kills on the weekend to average 2.90 kills per set. The Irvine, Calif., native also brought in 24 digs and four total blocks.

Sophomore Ali Witt hit at a clip of .385 (26k-6e-52a) across the Flames' 10 sets, averaging 2.60 kills per set. Witt also put up a strong defensive effort with 11 total blocks. Senior Alyssa Ehrhardt collected 26 terminations for an average of 2.60 per set while also grabbing 24 digs at the Invitational. Senior Kara Johnson led the Flames on defense with an average of 4.60 digs per set.

Against Bowling Green, Groot added her ninth double-double on the season with 10 kills and 12 digs, and continues to lead UIC in the category. Ehrhardt matched Groot's 10 digs and also dug out six.

The Flames kept on pace with BGSU through most of the first set, trailing by just one at the 16-15 mark before a UIC service error and three straight kills from Bowling Green's Jelena Sunjic put the Falcons up 20-15. The two teams traded off points to bring the score to 23-19, Bowling Green's lead. A kill by Johnson put the Flames within three, but a UIC error and a kill by BGSU's Isabel Kovacic put the Falcons up 1-0.

With the score tied at 16 in set two, the Falcons tacked on six unanswered points, creating a 22-16 hole for UIC. A BGSU service error snapped the streak, but the Falcons quickly redeemed themselves by closing out the set on three-straight kills for their second set victory.

The Flames attempted to ignite a comeback despite being down 22-18 in game three. A pair of kills from Groot and Junior Kyisha Hunt to put UIC within two, but the Falcon offense proved to be too strong, responding with four straight kills to close out BGSU's third and final win.

The Flames will hit the road for their final non-conference road match this Tuesday at 7 p.m. CT against Chicago State.  UIC will begin conference play next weekend by hosting  Wright State on Friday (Sept. 23) and Valparaiso on Saturday (Sept. 24).