CHICAGO (Sept. 1, 2023) – The UIC volleyball team completed Day One of the UIC Invitational with a 3-0 sweep over UAB Friday evening. With the victory, the Flames move to 5-0 in 2023.
COMMENT FROM HEAD COACH JUSTIN INGRAM
"It was an interesting match, we were very offensive throughout the three sets. I think one of the keys that happened later in the match was we got more touches and stuff blocks on a couple of their attackers that were having success. Those weren't happening in the first set or the second set either. We're very fortunate to be 5-0 overall and 2-0 today."
FIRST SET (25-20, UIC)
- The match stay close throughout the majority of the first set. Tied at 17, UIC began to break away from the chase after senior Martina Delucchi's third kill of the set to put the Flames up 18-17.
- The Flames followed that up by going on a 6-2 run. A Delucchi service ace gave UIC the 24-17 lead.
- UIC earned the set point after UAB's Chloe Rodriguez's attack fell short.
- 19 of the Flames; points came off a collective effort of kills: Sophomore Ayat Amin (5), Delucchi (4), freshman Gabi Peter (3) and senior Becca Oldendorf (3).
SECOND SET (25-21, UIC)
- The trend of a close match continued into the second set, as no team had a lead bigger than three points going into a 16-point tie midway through the set.
- Sophomore Cleo Lorenzo hit four of her eight kills in the set, landing 25 percent of her attacks.
- Oldendorf lead the Flames on an offensive wave of momentum behind three three kills in the later part of the set. On her last kill of the set, senior setter Sohila Wafeek put the ball right in front the net and Odendorf crushed the ball between two Blazers defenders.
THIRD SET (25-21, UIC)
- The Flames began the third set on fire with an 11-1 rally. Senior Zahria Woodard led the early onslaught with a kill and three blocking assists.
- True freshmen Tamara Kisic and Za'Niya Boyles saw some playing time throughout the set, each earning a kill a piece.
- Sophomore Francesca Venturini earned her 21st assist when she set up Amin's team-leading 12th kill of the match to give the Flames a 22-17 lead.
- The Flames earned the set and match win behind Lorenzo's eighth and final kill. This mark was a new season high for the outside hitter.
UP NEXT
The Flames are back at Credit Union 1 Arena Saturday afternoon for Day Two of the UIC Invitational. The Flames will host Western Michigan (6-0) at at 1 p.m. The Broncos defeated UAB in straight sets and SIUE 3-1 in their first day of action at the UIC Invitational. Saturday's contest will be available to stream on ESPN+ and live stats will be available at UICFlames.com.
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