CHICAGO (Oct. 6, 2023) – The UIC volleyball team (13-6, 4-2 MVC) completed a sweep against Bradley (7-11, 0-5 MVC) at Credit Union 1 Arena Friday night, as the Flames defeated the Braves 3-0.

COMMENT FROM UIC HEAD COACH JUSTIN INGRAM
"We feel fortunate to have come out 3-0, but we have some work to do to play a little bit cleaner, a little bit more efficient in this next match against Illinois State. What a great performance from Ayat Amin, she was really unstoppable. She was just not hitting the ball hard, but she was hitting the ball with range. Tonight's performance from her was outstanding."

FIRST SET (25-23, UIC)

• The Flames started the match red-hot behind an early 8-2 run in the first set, which was highlighted by two kills from senior Martina Delucchi (La Plata, Argentina/San Cayetano) and kills from sophomore Ayat Amin (Cairo, Egypt/Al Waha International School) and senior Zahria Woodard (Oak Park, Ill./Oak Park and River Forest).
• During the 8-2 rally, UIC secured its first two aces of the night from senior Becca Oldendorf (Lockport, Ill./Lockport Township) and Amin.
• Two kills from sophomore Cleo Lorenzo (Belo Horizonte, Brazil/Elite) extended UIC's lead midway in the set to 12-8.
• Oldendorf collected her second kill of the night to give UIC the 19-16 lead.
• The Braves responded by going on a 7-3 rally, thwarted by Woodard's fourth kill of the match. The kill tied the set at 23-23.
• A block assist from Woodard and sophomore Francesca Venturini (Bergamo, Italy/Liceo Classico Paolo Sarpi) gave UIC its first chance at a set victory, which was secured the next point behind an attack error from Bradley.

SECOND SET (25-22, UIC)

• Oldendorf started the second set off with the first point for UIC, her third kill of the match.
• The senior middle blocker's kill started a 7-2 rally for the Flames, which was highlighted by kills from Woodard and Amin.
• Delucchi's fifth kill of the match was soon followed by a blocking assist from Lorenzo and Woodard to extend the Flames lead to 11-5.
• Senior Mikala Henderson (St. Michael, Minn./St Michael Albertville) collected back-to-back kills in her first moments of action in the match, extending the Flames lead to 17-11.
• Venturini tallied her second kill of the night, finding a hole in the Braves front line to push UIC's lead to 20-13.
• After Lorenzo's third kill of the night pushed UIC one point away from its second set victory, she earned her fourth kill a few points later to give the Flames a set victory and a 2-0 lead in the match.

THIRD SET (25-21, UIC)

• The two programs had eight ties within the first ten points, until UIC took a 12-11 lead behind Amin's ninth kill in the match.
• Senior libero Jaclyn Oblena's (Orland Park, Ill./ Carl Sandburg) ace was followed by an ace from Venturini a few points later to give UIC a 19-15 lead later in the set.
• Two kills towards the later part of the set from Woodard brought the Flames one point away from a match victory. Subbing in for Oblena, freshman libero Celimar Hoyos (Caguas, Puerto Rico/Archbishop McCarthy) earned UIC its sixth ace and the match victory for the Flames.

UP NEXT FOR THE FLAMES

• The Flames will return to Credit Union 1 Arena Saturday night to finish off their two-match homestand, taking on Illinois State (5-12, 3-2 MVC). The first serve is scheduled for 5 p.m.
• The match will be available to stream on ESPN+ with Terry Bonadonna on the call. Live stats will also be available at UICFlames.com.
• Saturday's match with the Redbirds 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.

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