CHICAGO – The UIC volleyball team (5-6) opened the Chicago Cup with a 3-0 (20-25, 20-25, 18-25) loss against Big Ten opponent Northwestern (8-2) on Friday afternoon inside Loyola's Gentile Arena. The Flames out-blocked the Wildcats 9-8, but were held to a .082 attack percentage across the three sets, while Northwestern hit .219 as a squad.  

Match Highlights

• Set One: Trailing 15-10, the Flames erupted for a 7-0 run to take the lead 17-15, but Northwestern was called back to the bench and regrouped to take the next four straight, 19-17.
• Set One: UIC was within one, 21-20, but the Wildcats took its final four in-a-row with three kills and a Flames attack error, 25-20.
• Set Two: The Flames had a 9-8 lead when a 6-0 Northwestern run turned the tides in favor of the Wildcats, 14-9.
• Set Two: Northwestern raced to set point, 24-15, but UIC proved it would not go down without a fight, taking five straight before the Wildcats could finish it, 25-20.
• Set Three: A Flames service error, a block and a pair of kills for the Wildcats broke open set three for Northwestern, 12-8. The Wildcats never trailed from there, taking the third set 25-18 to sweep UIC.

Facts & Figures

• For the second time in as many matches, Clara Lamb led the Flames in kills, tallying nine successful attacks.
• Kiera James killed seven, while Manuela Conte killed five. Ali Witt contributed four terminations for the Flames.
• Velina Minkova got the start at Libero and led the team in digs with 12. Conte was next with seven, and Marija Borcic added five.
• Borcic was the leader in assists with 13. Lauren Musante handed out nine helpers.
• Michelle Glover made a splash up at the net, leading the Flames with six blocks, a personal best for the freshman. Lamb made four stops, as Conte, Witt and Alexandria Hicks each stopped two.

Up Next

• The Chicago Cup draws to a close tomorrow as the Flames face Loyola (12 p.m. CT) and DePaul (5 p.m.).