CHICAGO – The UIC volleyball team opened play at the Chicago Cup Friday evening with a 3-0 sweep over Loyola. Making their home debut, the Flames had an efficient .363 hitting percentage while limiting the Ramblers to just a .152 clip from the attack.
 
Paola Santiago led the way with a match-high 13 kills on a .440 hitting percentage, while Mikala Henderson hit .500 on the night with 10 kills and no errors. Sohila Wafeek dished out 33 of UIC's 42 assists while Martina Delucchi was a factor all over the court with seven kills, three aces and a team-high 15 digs.
 
The Flames jumped out to a 7-2 lead in the opening set, with Henderson's kill forcing the Ramblers to burn a quick timeout. UIC's lead dropped to two at 12-10 before four unanswered pushed the advantage to 16-10. Loyola used its second timeout but was unable to climb back into the frame as the Flames cruised to a 25-15 victory. UIC's defense was on point the entire set, holding Loyola to a .000 hitting percentage.
 
UIC was forced to rally in the second set after Loyola took a 21-19 lead late in the frame. Back-to-back kills from Santiago brought the set even, before her third consecutive kill put the Flames in front, 22-21. The two teams would be tied at 22-all and 23-all, but kills by Henderson and Delucchi put the Flames in front 2-0 heading into the break.
 
The success of the first two sets carried into the third set as the Flames cruised to a 25-15 victory to secure the sweep. Santiago had six of UIC's 18 kills in the set, connecting at a .455 clip, while Henderson and Becca Oldendorf added four kills each.
 
UIC returns to action Saturday with a pair of matches against Northwestern (12 p.m.) and DePaul (7 p.m.)
 
News and Notes

• UIC has now won 11 of the last 13 meetings with the Ramblers dating back to 2010.
• The Flames dominated the net Friday, outblocking Loyola by a 10-1 margin. Zahria Woodard had a pair of solo blocks and four assisted blocks to lead the effort at the net.
• UIC also controlled the service line, picking up 10 aces two Loyola's two. Delucchi and Wafeek had three each.