DES MOINES, Iowa – Martina Delucchi had a team-high 12 kills as the UIC volleyball team dropped a 3-0 decision to Drake Saturday evening in Des Moines.
 
The Flames had no answer for Drake's duo of Haley Bush and Mariana Rodrigues, as the pair combined for 44 of the Bulldogs' 49 kills in the match.
 
Freshman Cleo Lorenzo had her best match of her young UIC career, finishing with eight kills and a .412 hitting percentage. Kayanna Jones also excelled, recording seven kills on no errors in 11 total attacks for a .636 hitting percentage. The pair came off the bench in the first set before starting the final two sets each.
 
It was closely contested all three sets, as the Flames dropped 25-20, 25-21 and 26-24 decisions. In total there were 37 ties and 10 lead changes.
 
UIC picked up five aces in the match, with Delucchi and Sohila Wafeek having two each while Jaclyn Oblena added one. Wafeek ended the match with a double-double, registering 31 assists to go along with 10 digs. Oblena led the defensive efforts with 12 digs.
 
The Flames remain on the road next weekend for a pair of matches, taking on Southern Illinois and Missouri State for the first time this season next Friday and Saturday.