CHICAGO – Behind a relentless defense, the UIC volleyball team picked up a 3-0 sweep over Valparaiso for the program's first-ever conference victory as members of the Missouri Valley Conference.
 
As a team, the Flames held Valparaiso to a -.010 hitting percentage, the Beacons' lowest hitting percentage in a match since Sept. 1, 2000.
 
Mikala Henderson led the offense with a match-high 13 kills on a .440 hitting percentage while Sohila Wafeek dished out a double-double with 30 assists and 14 digs. Paola Santiago nearly tallied a double-double of her own with nine kills and nine digs.
 
After giving up the first two points of the match, the Flames raced out to a quick 10-4 lead and forced Valparaiso into a timeout. The lead was more than enough, as UIC cruised to a 25-12 victory to take a 1-0 lead in the match. UIC hit .440 as a team while holding the Beacons to a -.030 hitting percentage.
 
UIC scored the opening point of the second set, and would lead for the entirety of the second frame to easily take a 2-0 lead in the match with a 25-16 victory. It was an identically impressive defensive performance in the second set as UIC held the Beacons to a matching -.030 hitting percentage.
 
Valpo jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead to open the third set, forcing Justin Ingram to burn a timeout. The break in action worked to perfection as the Flames proceeded to go on an 8-2 run to take an 8-7 lead. Once again, the Flames refused to give up the lead once securing the advantage, closing out the sweep with a 25-14 decision.
 
The Flames now hit the road for their first conference matches away from home. The team will remain in-state, however, with contests at Bradley (Sept. 30) and Illinois State (Oct. 2).
 
News and Notes

• The 12 total blocks ties a season-high, matching the effort in the upset win over Miami on Sept. 9. Six different players were in on at least one block, with Zahria Woodard assisting on six blocks while Becca Oldendorf had one solo blocks and five assisted stuffs.
• The Flames served up eight aces in the match, the sixth time this season the team has recorded eight or more aces.
• The 51 digs are the most the team has recorded in a 3-set match this season.