CHICAGO – On its home court for the first time this season, the UIC volleyball team split a pair of matches on the opening day of the UIC Invitational. The Flames controlled the tempo in their first match, cruising to a 3-0 sweep of Belmont. In the final match of the day, UIC battled Eastern Michigan throughout four sets, ultimately dropping a 3-1 decision.
 
Martina Delucchi continued the hot start to her season, recording a team-high in kills in both matches, finishing with 11 against Belmont before adding 17 more against Eastern Michigan. Jaclyn Oblena fell two digs shy of matching her career high with a 25-dig effort against the Eagles after picking up 16 digs in the Flames' opening match.
 
UIC's defense was on point out of the gate, cruising to a 25-12 victory in the first set against Belmont. The Flames limited the Bruins to a -.029 hitting percentage and ultimately held Belmont to a .149 clip for the match. The Flames dominated from the service line, picking up seven aces to the one given up defensively.
 
In the evening match, UIC jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead with a 25-19 victory in the opening set. After the Eagles evened the match with a 25-17 victory, the final two sets came down to the wire. The Flames were within one of Eastern Michigan at 21-20 in the third set before EMU took the next two points to make it a 3-point advantage. UIC battled back to within one, but a pair of Eagle kills ultimately sealed the set.
 
It took extra points to determine the fourth set winner. Eastern Michigan had match point at 24-23, but a kill from Paola Santiago evened the score at 24-all. An Eagle kill and ace clinched the set, and the match, in favor of the visitors.
 
UIC will round out action at the UIC Invitational on Sunday against Chicago State. First serve is slated for 3 p.m.