CHICAGO (Oct. 27, 2023)—The UIC volleyball team (15-10, 6-6 MVC) defeated Murray State (12-9, 6-6 MVC) in front of the home crowd at Credit Union 1 Arena in four sets Friday night. The victory is UIC's second win in a row.

COMMENT FROM HEAD COACH JUSTIN INGRAM
"I think as the match went on, we made a few less errors, which is always helpful as the match progresses. Mikala Henderson, Za'Niya Boyles and Zahria Woodard were all very effective on the attack. We also had some key blocks throughout the match. Becca Oldendorf had a key block tonight and also had a terrific service run."

FIRST SET (28-26, UIC)

• Two early kills from senior Zahria Woodard (Oak Park, Ill./Oak Park and River Forest) gave UIC an early lead (8-7).
• The Racers attempted to breakaway with the lead before senior Martina Delucchi's (La Plata, Argentina/San Cayetano) first kill of the match tied the set at 12. The Flames took the lead the next point when Delucchi delivered UIC's first ace of the night.
• Down 17-16, senior Becca Oldendorf (Lockport, Ill./Lockport Township) tallied her first kill of the night to tie the score at 17.
• With UIC trailing, freshman Za'Niya Boyles (Columbia, S.C./Gray Collegiate Academy) had two kills and two blocks to help the Flames tie the score at 24.  
• With the score tied 26-26, the Flames secured the set victory behind a kill from Oldendorf and a block from Woodard and sophomore setter Francesca Venturini (Bergamo, Italy/Liceo Classico Paolo Sarpi).

SECOND SET (25-17)

• The Flames started the second set on a 7-3 rally highlighted by a pair of aces from Oldendorf and Venturini.
• Senior Mikala Henderson's (St. Michael, Minn./St. Michael Albertville) sixth kill of the match sparked a 5-1 rally for the Flames. The rally finished with a block from Woodard and freshman Gabi Peter (Gilbert, Ill./Hampshire) to give UIC the 14-7 lead.
• Three kills from Boyles forced Murray State to call a timeout, with UIC remaining ahead at 19-12.
• Woodard's eighth kill of the night earned UIC's second-consecutive set victory.

THIRD SET (28-26, MSU)

• After the Racers led early in the set, a 4-2 run highlighted by kills from Henderson and Boyles tied the set at 8.
• Up 11-9, a kill and a block from both Woodard gave UIC the four-point lead (13-9).
• Woodard's lone solo block of the match kept UIC ahead with the 20-16 lead.
• Tied at 24, UIC was able to fight off two different match points before Murray State won the set.

FOURTH SET (25-23, UIC)

• After being tied during early part of the set, Henderson's third kill of the set capped off a 5-1 rally which gave UIC the 15-11 lead.
• A Racers' 5-0 rally tied the match at 18-18, but the Murray State run was thwarted after Boyles collected her 12^th kill of the night to keep give UIC the one-point advantage.
• Oldendorf's work from the service line was strong, as she collected back-to-back-to-back aces to give UIC a late 23-21 lead.
• UIC secured the match win after a kill by Delucchi and block from Woodard and Boyles.

UP NEXT FOR THE FLAMES

The Flames return to Credit Union 1 Arena Saturday night to face off against Belmont (11-15, 5-7 MVC). First serve is scheduled for 5 p.m. The match will be available to stream on ESPN+ with Terry Bonadonna being on the call. It is also Hallow-weekend with UIC. Fans can trick-or-treat on the concourse at Saturday's match and young Flames fans will be able to participate in a costume contest in between the second and third set.

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