CHICAGO – The UIC volleyball team opened a four-match homestand Friday evening in dominating fashion with a 3-0 sweep of Youngstown State inside the Flames Athletic Center.
 
Paola Santiago led the way offensively with a match-high 11 kills on a .450 hitting percentage. Santiago was also a threat from the service line, accounting for three of UIC's seven aces in the match. Sohila Wafeek handled the setting duties to the tune of 38 assists while Jaclyn Olbena collected a team-high 11 digs.
 
UIC's defense stymied the Penguin attack Friday, as Youngstown State hit at an .069 clip for the match, including a pair of sets where the Penguins had as many errors as kills. The Flames owned a 6-4 advantage in blocks.
 
The Flames continue their homestand Sunday against Robert Morris. First serve is slated for 2 p.m. inside the Flames Athletic Center.
 
How It Happened – First Set

• Youngstown State took an early lead before the Flames gained the advantage for good at 4-3 following a Jackie Yau kill.
• Santiago served up an ace to make it 11-5 and forced a Penguin timeout. The break in action had little effect, as Santiago came out of the break with two more aces to push the advantage to 13-5.
• Yau had her fourth kill of the set to seal the opening-set 25-16 victory, connecting on four of her seven attempts in the opening frame.

 
How It Happened – Second Set

• Mikala Henderson opened the set with a kill before Oblena served up an ace to quickly put UIC ahead, 2-0.
• Youngstown State briefly took the lead at 5-4, but an 11-0 Flames run put the set out of reach at 15-5. The Flames received back-to-back kills from Kayanna Jones to highlight the run.
• With the set firmly in hand, Santigo recorded a solo block to clinch the 25-14 decision.

 
How It Happened – Third Set

• UIC dominated the final set, scoring the first two points and never trailing for the entirety of the set. A combination block by Jones and Henderson put the lead at 10-5, forcing a timeout by the visitors.
• A pair of Youngstown State errors gave UIC match point at 24-15 before Salma Abdelhady clinched the match with a kill from the right side.

 
Facts and Figures

• Eight different Flames recorded a kill Friday, with three converting at a .500 clip or better.
• Santiago has recorded 10 or more kills in the last eight matches and 10 of the last 12 contests.
• UIC had its highest hitting percentage of the season Friday, connecting on 44 kills with 11 errors on 86 attacks for a .384 hitting percentage.