CHICAGO (Aug. 26, 2023) - The UIC volleyball program finished the Chicago Classic on a high note with a sweep over Lindenwood Saturday afternoon, winning 3-0.

COMMENT FROM SENIOR LIBERO JACLYN OBLENA
"Coming with a sweep is a really hard thing to do, but I am proud of our girls for being able to do it. I think it's great to say that we are 3-0 at home, considering this is a new environment and we are trying to get used to everything. I'm super proud of everyone and I know a lot of people were able to come in and contribute, especially in this last match against Lindenwood. A lot of things are coming together and I am proud of it."

FIRST SET (25-15, UIC)

• UIC began the set on fire, with three separate kills from senior Martina Delucchi, sophomore Ayat Amin and freshman Gabi Peter.
• Lindenwood was forced to call a timeout after a service ace from senior libero Jaclyn Oblena gave UIC an early 11-3 lead.
• Amin led the firepower for the Flames, with five of UIC's 14 kills in the set. Sophomore Francesca Venturini was credited seven of the Flames' kills with assists.
• UIC earned the point after back-to-back kills from Delucchi and sophomore Cleo Lorenzo ended the set with her attack.

• The Flames began the set after a service ace from sophomore Mehl Hansen was fumbled by Lindenwood. The ace was Hansen's first of the season.
• Hansen's service ace was flanked by three more service aces from senior Becca Oldendorf, Venturini and Delucchi to give the Flames a 14-8 lead midway through the set.
• After earning her first three collegiate kills in UIC's 3-0 win against Oakland, freshman Za'Niya Boyles earned UIC's 24^th point with her first kill of the match. 
• A blocking assist from Boyles and senior Zahria Woodard thwarted an attack attempt from Lindenwood's Nyah Wilson to secure the set point.

• The Lions and the Flames kept it close early into the set, trading the lead on eight different occasions. Then, UIC went on a 5-1 run, highlighted by two kills from Amin to take a 15-11 lead before heading to the media timeout.
• There were 15 ties between the two programs throughout the set. Tied at 24, Amin hit her team-leading 11^th kill to push the set to match point.
• After a return from an Oblena serve, Venturini set up Lorenzo's sixth kill of the match to secure a win for the Flames.

• UIC – 3-0
• Lindenwood – 2-1
• Oakland – 2-1
• St. Thomas – 0-3

UP NEXT
The Flames return to Credit Union 1 Arena to host three teams as part of the UIC Invitational. Competition begins Friday, Sept. 1 when UIC takes on SIUE (Noon) and UAB (7 p.m.). The Flames then finish up the invitational Saturday afternoon with a match-up against Western Michigan (1 p.m.). All three of UIC's matches will be available to stream on ESPN+ and live stats will be available throughout the two-day event on UICFlames.com