VALPARAISO, Ind. – Behind career nights from Paola Santiago and Sohila Wafeek, the UIC volleyball won its fifth consecutive match to end the regular season with a 3-1 victory over Valparaiso Wednesday evening.
 
Santiago had a monster night, finishing with a career-high 30 kills on an equally impressive .500 hitting percentage. Santiago committed just four errors on her 52 total attacks, while adding a double-double with 14 digs. The outside hitter's attacks came from the hands of Wafeek, who dished out a career-high 62 assists.
 
Martina Delucchi also had a big night against the Beacons, tallying 24 kills and 16 digs to match Santiago with double-double. Zahria Woodard also finished in double figures with 10 kills.
 
The Flames quickly stormed out to a 2-0 lead, taking the opening set by a 25-19 margin before extending the lead to 2-0 with a 25-17 victory in the second set. UIC and Valparaiso played a marathon third set, requiring numerous extra points. The back-and-forth battle fell to the Beacons, 31-29, sending the match to a fourth set.
 
Once again, extra points were needed to determine the winner. UIC had match point at 25-24 and 26-25 and 27-26. Tied at 27, Santiago would record her 29^th and 30^th kills of the night to seal the set, and match, in favor of the Flames.
 
UIC earned the No. 3 seed in next week's Missouri Valley Conference Championship, hosted by Evansville. The Flames, looking to make their second consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament, will begin their MVC run on Monday, Nov. 21 in the quarterfinals where the team will take on either No. 7 Murray State or No. 6 Valparaiso. First serve in Evansville is set for 6 p.m.