CHICAGO -- UIC will make history on Friday, Dec. 3 as the Flames make their first-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament when they take on top-seeded Louisville in the opening round of the 2021 Division I NCAA Tournament. First serve in Louisville is set for 6 p.m. (CST). The Flames enter the tournament as one of the hottest teams in the country, winning their last seven matches. UIC has won 12 out of its last 13 matches dating back to Oct. 15. UIC has one of the highest-powered offenses in the country, ranking fifth nationally in total assists (1,548) and sixth in total kills (1,663).
LAST TIME OUT
• The Flames captured their second conference championship in program history, and first Horizon League title, on Sunday, Nov. 21 when UIC defeated second-seeded Northern Kentucky in the championship match.
• UIC had a thrilling run to its tournament title, winning all three matches by 3-2 finals.
• In UIC's quarterfinal win over Milwaukee, the Flames erased a 10-6 deficit in the fifth set by scoring the final nine points to pick up the 15-10 victory.
• In the Flames' championship win over the Norse, UIC led 14-8 in the decisive fifth set before Northern Kentucky scored six in a row to tie things up at 14-all. UIC held off the NKU attack to win the title with an 18-16 win.
•
Paola Santiago was named the Horizon League Tournament MVP and was joined on the All-Tournament Team by
Sohila Wafeek and
Martina Delucchi.
FLAMES GARNER ALL-LEAGUE HONORS
• Four Flames were recognized by the Horizon League's coaches on Nov. 18 as the League announced its All-League honors for the 2021 season.
•
Paola Santiago was named All-League First Team for the second year in a row while
Martina Delucchi was also named to the First Team for her first-career All-League honor.
•
Sohila Wafeek collected her first yearly accolade as the setter was named All-League Second while
Salma Abdelhady was named to the All-Freshman Team.
SERVE IT UP
• The Flames have excelled all year from the service line, ranking 18th nationally with 202 aces on the year.
• Against IUPUI on Oct. 21, the Flames recorded a season-high 17 aces, the third-most in a Horizon League match this year.
• Individually,
Martina Delucchi ranks fourth in the Horizon League and 49th nationally with a team-leading 41 aces this year.
• Delucchi has eight matches this year with two or more aces, including a career-high five aces in UIC's match against IUPUI on Oct. 21, and has at least one ace in all but eight matches this year.
SWING AWAY
• As a team, the UIC offense ranks first in the Horizon League and fifth in the country with 1,548 total kills this year.
• As a result of their high-performing offense, UIC ranks first in the League and sixth nationally with 1,663 total assists. The Flames' 12.69 assists per set this year rank second in the League and 34th nationally.
• UIC has tallied 4,401 total attacks this season, second in the Horizon League and 15th nationally.
