NORMAL, Ill. – The UIC volleyball team completed a weekend sweep of in-state foes Sunday (Oct. 2) as the Flames picked up a 3-1 victory over Illinois State. After dropping the opening set, the Flames took care of business the next three sets to seal the victory.

With the win, Justin Ingram collected his 100th career victory while at UIC. He becomes the fourth head coach in UIC history to reach the 100-win mark with the Flames.
 
Three Flames recorded double-digit kills, with Martina Delucchi and Mikala Henderson led the way with 14 and 13 kills, respectively. Becca Oldendorf had a effective day offensively, finishing with 12 kills on a .375 hitting percentage. Zahria Woodard nearly joined the trio in double figures, finishing with nine kills (.444 hitting percentage).
 
Illinois State stormed out of the gate, scoring the first five points of the opening set and never looked back, leading wire-to-wire to secure the 25-17 victory. The Flames returned the favor in the second set, never trailing en route to a 25-19 triumph to even the match at 1-all.
 
The third set was the closest set of the day, featuring eight ties and two lead changes. Down to the wire, the two teams were tied at 20-all, 21-all and 23-all. Woodard connected out of the middle to give the Flames set point and then teamed up with Sohila Wafeek on a block to claim the 25-23 victory.
 
UIC used a crucial run in the middle of the fourth set to pull away from the Redbirds. Tied at 10-all, six unanswered points from the Flames made it 16-10. The visitors cruised down the stretch, easily picking up a 25-18 decision to clinch the 3-1 victory.
 
UIC returns to Chicago to take on the league's other two newcomers this weekend. The Flames will face Belmont on Friday (6 p.m.) before squaring off with Murray State at 3 p.m. on Saturday.
 
News and Notes

• The Flames dominated the net, out-blocking Illinois State by an 11-5 margin. Oldendorf and Woodard each had a solo block while Ayat Amin assisted on five different blocks.
• Sohila Wafeek dished out a double-double with a match-high 27 assists to go along with a team-leading 17 digs.
• UIC's defense clamped down in the fourth and final set, holding the Redbirds to a -.061 hitting percentage