HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – UIC's five-match winning streak came to an end Sunday (Oct. 31) afternoon as the Flames suffered a 3-1 defeat at Northern Kentucky.
 
Three Flames recorded double-doubles in the match to UIC against the Norse. Martina Delucchi led the way with a team-leading 18 kills to go along with a team-best 16 digs. Sohila Wafeek had 45 assists and 14 digs and Paola Santiago recorded 10 kills and 11 digs.
 
UIC struck early, taking a 1-0 lead in the match with a 25-16 lead in the opening set. The advantage was nearly extended to 2-0 in the second set, but the Norse needed extra points to even things up at 1-all. Using the momentum of the second set, Northern Kentucky closed out the final two sets to finish off the match.
 
UIC returns to Chicago for its final two home matches of the regular season, playing host to Oakland and Cleveland State on Friday and Sunday, Nov. 5 and 7, respectively. Sunday's match will be Senior Day as the Flames will honor Morgan Kull.
 
How It Happened

• UIC jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the match as the Flames hit .361 in the opening set, the highest hitting percentage by either team in any set Sunday.
• After falling into a 4-point hole early, the Flames exploded for an 11-0 run to take control of the set at 19-9. Northern Kentucky was forced to call both of its timeouts during the run, but their attempt to slow down UIC fell short and the Flames took a 1-0 lead into the second set.
• The Flames had a 5-point advantage midway through the second set before the Norse closed the gap.
• Tied at 23-all, Mikala Henderson put down a kill from the set of Wafeek to give the Flames set point. Three straight kills by the hosts gave Northern Kentucky a 26-24 victory to even things at one set apiece.
• Northern Kentucky took the lead at 3-2 in the third set and never looked back, extending its lead throughout the set before closing out the 25-17 victory.
• The fourth set was the closest set of the match, featuring 10 ties and five lead changes.
• Neither team led by more than three points in the set until the final point of the set. Northern Kentucky used a 5-0 run to take a 23-20 lead and after Henderson pulled the Flames within two with a kill, NKU closed out the final two points to take the match.

 
News and Notes

• Henderson and Jackie Yau joined Delucchi and Santiago in double-figure kills with 10 each.
• Jaclyn Oblena added 10 digs along the back line as UIC had four players with 10 or more digs.
• UIC, one of the top serving teams in the country, was held to season-low one service ace Sunday.