CHICAGO (Oct. 5, 2023) – The UIC volleyball team (12-6, 3-2 MVC) returns to Credit Union 1 Arena this weekend for another series of Missouri Valley Conference matches. The Flames begin the weekend by hosting Bradley (7-10, 0-4 MVC) on Friday at 6 p.m. This will be followed by a match on Saturday against Illinois State (4-12, 2-2 MVC) with the first serve scheduled for 5 p.m.

The Flames went 2-1 over its recent three-match road trip and picked up a key win against MVC foe Drake in five sets.

SCOUTING BRADLEY

• This will be the 31^st meeting between the Flames and the Braves, dating back to 1983. UIC has won the last nine meetings, including two match sweeps in UIC's first season in the Missouri Valley Conference in 2022.
• The Braves are in search of their first win in conference play. Their best showing came at the Southern Indiana Invitational on Sept 10. They secured wins against Jacksonville State, Arkansas-Pine Bluff and host Southern Indiana at the event.
• Bradley leads The Valley in aces, averaging 1.83 per set. The team has collected 108 aces this season so far. Additionally, the Braves rank fourth in blocks per set (2.01).
• Sophomore middle blocker Kendall Minta has the fourth-best blocks per set average (1.02) in the MVC with 60 total blocks this season. She also has the sixth-best hitting percentage at .350.
• The Braves attack is led by senior Jasmine Green. The middle blocker has accumulated 134 kills this season, averaging 2.27 per set.

SCOUTING ILLINOIS STATE

• This will be the 16^th time both teams will meet on the volleyball court. Although the Flames won the last two meetings, the Redbirds lead the overall series 12-3.
• Illinois State had a successful road trip this past weekend with wins against Murray State (9-5, 3-2 MVC) and Belmont (9-10, 3-2 MVC).
• The Redbirds rank ninth in The Valley in kills per set (12.25) and assists per set (11.11).
• Sophomore Aida Shadewald has the ninth-best kills per set average (3.33) in the conference, having collected 190 kills.
• Shadewald (ninth/21) and senior setter Nora Janka (12^th/19) have some of the most service aces in the entire conference.

BY THE NUMBERS

• The Flames are the third-highest MVC program in the NCAA RPI rankings this season at No. 75.
• 51 kills, 3.92 kills per set and 39 digs earned senior Martina Delucchi (La Plata, Argentina/San Cayetano) Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week honors for her efforts this past weekend.
• With a .251 hitting percentage the Flames lead the MVC in accuracy on the attack. Senior Becca Oldendorf (Lockport, Ill./Lockport Township) has the highest individual mark in the conference with a .449 hitting percentage.
• A 15-kill performance from sophomore Cleo Lorenzo (Belo Horizonte, Brazil/Elite) in the win against Drake was a new career-high for the outside hitter. She has 124 kills in her second season with the Flames.
• Sophomore Francesca Venturini (Bergamo, Italy/Liceo Classico Paolo Sarpi) has collected 508 assists this season, the sixth-most in the Missouri Valley Conference. She averages 7.58 assists per set.

NEED TO KNOW 

• Friday's match against Bradley will be the Flames Dig Pink Match. The match will bring awareness to breast cancer and honor those in the fight.
• Saturday's match with Illinois State will be the annual Sparky's Kids Club Match. Young members of Sparky's Kids Club in attendance will get to enjoy fun and games with Sparky.
• Both matches will be streamed live on ESPN+ with Terry Bonadonna on the call. Live stats will also be available as well at UICFlames.com.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA!

• For more information, fans are encouraged to visit UICFlames.com, or follow the Flames on social media through X (@UIC_Volleyball and @UICFlames) and Instagram (@uic_volleyball and @uicflames).
   

#ChicagosCollegeTeam | #FireUpFlames