GREEN BAY, Wis. – The UIC volleyball team's (20-9, 9-6 HL) impressive comeback fell short on Thursday night, dropping a 3-2 (9-25, 21-25, 25-15, 25-21, 15-17) decision against the defending Horizon League Champions in Green Bay (20-7, 12-3 HL). After a rough start in set one and a 25-21 loss in set two, the Flames turned up the heat with big wins in set three and four to force the tiebreaker. UIC took an early lead in set five, but it wouldn't be enough, as the Phoenix took the set in extras, 17-15.

Match Highlights
Set One

• The Green Bay offense struck early, putting together an 8-1 run with seven kills for a 16-7 lead.
• The Phoenix continued their relentless pursuit, ending set one with seven unanswered points, 25-9.
• Green Bay hit .552 in the opening frame with 17 kills, while holding the Flames to a mere six terminations.

Set Two

• The Flames regrouped and put up six unanswered points in the early stages of set two, 7-3.
• Green Bay built its comeback, tying the match at 10. A Phoenix service error put UIC back in the lead, but Green Bay took over the lead, snagging the next two off a kill and a Flames attack error, 12-11.
• The Phoenix took a three-point lead following a 4-1 series, 17-14, forcing UIC to use a timeout.
• Back-to-back kills from Clara Lamb and Kiera James put the Flames within one, 19-18, but Green Bay took a timeout and returned to take the next two, 21-18.
• The Flames were unable to close the gap, as the Phoenix took set two, 25-21.

Set Three

• UIC got another early lead in set three, 11-4, thanks in large part to blocks from Tatyana Ndekwe, Paola Santiago, Michelle Glover and Alexandria Hicks.
• Following a Phoenix timeout, Green Bay took four straight to cut at the Flames' lead, 11-8.
• The Flames put the distance back with kills from Brookah Palmer and two more blocks from Ndekwe and Hicks, 21-12.
• Green Bay picked up a pair, but Palmer, Ndekwe and Hicks rattled off a trio of kills to put UIC at set point, 24-14.
• The Phoenix put down one more kill, but another block for Ndekwe finished the set with a 25-15 win for the Flames.

Set Four

• UIC carried its momentum into set four, going up 12-5 off a 5-0 run that featured blocks by Palmer, Glover and Lamb.
• The Phoenix were able to string together a trio of points, but Palmer and Ndekwe put away successful attacks to put UIC up by six, 16-10.
• Green Bay pulled within three, 20-17, after a UIC attack error and a service ace.
• After a Flames timeout, they took four of the next five to come to set point, 24-18. Green Bay threatened with a trio of kills, but Ndekwe once again brought the set to an end, 25-21.

Set Five

• Back-to-back Phoenix miscues and a kill from Hicks gave the Flames an early 5-2 lead.
• Green Bay tied the set at seven with a 5-2 run, but a pair of aces from Glover and two kills gave UIC some room, 11-7.
• The Phoenix answered the call, tying the set at 12 off a 4-0 run, forcing UIC to use a timeout.
• After the break, Ndekwe put UIC ahead, but Green Bay once again tied the set at 13.
• Ndekwe did it for the Flames again, but an error brought it back to a draw. Palmer got a kill, but the Phoenix put away the next three to complete the comeback, 17-15.

Facts & Figures

• Tatyana Ndekwe shined for the Flames, leading the squad with a career-high 15 kills. The senior also put on a show on defense with seven total blocks.
• Brookah Palmer was in double-double territory with 14 kills and nine digs.
• Michelle Glover finished with nine kills, while also making four stops for the defense.
• Glover (.429), Palmer (.400) and Ndekwe (.536) all finished hitting .400 or above.
• Alexandria Hicks also put down nine for the offense, and she also added five blocks on the defensive end.
• Marija Borcic recorded her seventh double-double of the season, handing out 28 assists and making 12 digs.
• Manuela Conte led the squad with 18 digs, followed by Paola Santiago with 16.
• Green Bay had the advantage in kills, 68-60, as well as digs, 82-79. UIC finished with more blocks, 11-6.

Up Next

• The Flames will wrap up the regular season tomorrow at Milwaukee. First serve is set for 6 p.m. CT.