CARBONDALE, Ill. (Oct. 21, 2023) – The UIC volleyball team (14-10, 5-6 MVC) ended its two-week road trip with a four-set victory over Southern Illinois (12-10, 4-7 MVC) Saturday night at Davies Gym. With the victory the Flames move to 5-6 in Missouri Valley Conference play this season.

COMMENT FROM HEAD COACH JUSTIN INGRAM
"This weekend was the most challenging road swing of the year as we traveled five hours between each university. Tonight, our middle blockers led the way along with Cleo Lorenzo. When we needed them to take big swings, they were successful. This win was what we needed for momentum, and we plan to take full advantage going back home to Credit Union 1 Arena."

FIRST SET (25-20, SIU)

• The Flames hit two early aces from freshman Tamara Kisic (Belgrade, Serbia) and senior Zahria Woodard (Oak Park, Ill./Oak Park and River Forest).
• Down 13-8, senior Jackie Yau (Chicago, Ill./Loyola Academy) collected her first kill of the night to cut the UIC deficit to four.
• With SIU holding a 16-11 lead, Kisic's first kill of the match kept UIC within four points of the Salukis.
• Sophomore Cleo Lorenzo (Belo Horizonte, Brazil/Elite) hit three kills and an ace late in the first set and cut the SIU led to 24-20. However, the Salukis would win the next point to take the first set.

• The Flames took an early 4-3 lead in the set, highlighted by a kill from senior Becca Oldendorf (Lockport, Ill./Lockport Township) and Lorenzo's second ace of the match.
• Aces from Kisic and Oldendorf kept UIC ahead of Southern Illinois entering the middle part of the set (11-8).
• Senior setter Sohila Wafeek (Cairo, Egypt/Al Gomhorya Language School) collected her fifth kill of the season and first of the match to keep UIC ahead with a 17-13 lead.
• UIC's 23^rd point of the set came behind Woodard's eighth kill of the match. Back-to-back errors from the Salukis gave UIC the 25-21 set victory.

• The Flames started the set on a 4-0 rally behind a kills from Lorenzo and freshman Za'Niya Boyles (Columbia, S.C./Gray Collegiate Academy). Kisic also hit two aces for the Flames during the rally.
• Down 11-10 Kisic's fourth kill of the night tied the third set at 11.
• With the Salukis leading 18-17 later in the set, Woodard hit her ninth kill of the night to tie the score at 18.
• After an SIU timeout, the Flames continued their momentum with a 4-0 run highlighted by Lorenzo's fourth ace and UIC's 11^th ace of the match.
• Kisic closed the set out with her sixth kill of the match to give UIC the third set victory and a 2-1 lead.

• Three different ties occurred early on in the set before the Flames followed up on an attack error with Boyles' fourth kill of the match to take a 9-7 lead.
• Oldendorf's eighth kill of the night help UIC maintain its lead 12-10.
• Senior libero Jaclyn Oblena (Orland Park, Ill./ Carl Sandburg) collected two aces late in the set as the Flames finished a 6-0 rally to take a commanding 21-13 lead.
• Woodard's 12^th and final kill of the match secured the match win for UIC.

NEXT UP FOR THE FLAMES
The Flames return home to the Credit Union 1 Arena for the first time in two weeks to host Murray State (12-7, 6-4 MVC) on Friday at 6 p.m. On Saturday UIC takes on Belmont (11-14, 5-6 MVC) at 5 p.m. As part of the "Halloweekend" festivities, fans will be invited to come trick or treating in the arena and participate in additional Halloween-themed activities.
Saturday's match against the Bruins will be available to stream on ESPN+, with Terry Bonadonna on the call. Both matches will have live stats available at UICFlames.com

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