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thevalley
VB_Celebration_Northwestern
3
Winner UIC UIC 8-3,0-0 MVC
2
Northwestern NU 5-4,0-0 Big Ten
Winner
UIC UIC
8-3,0-0 MVC
3
Final
2
Northwestern NU
5-4,0-0 Big Ten
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 5 F
UIC UIC 20 18 25 25 15 (3)
Northwestern NU 25 25 23 10 11 (2)

Game Recap: Volleyball |

Volleyball Completes Historic Comeback in 3-2 Road Win at Northwestern

Flames earn their first victory over the Wildcats since 1995 and second-ever road win at a Big Ten opponent.

EVANSTON, Ill. (Sept. 13, 2023) – The UIC volleyball team came roaring back from a 2-0 deficit on the road to defeat Big Ten Conference opponent Northwestern in five sets (20-25, 18-25, 25-23, 25-10, 15-11) on Wednesday night at Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston, Ill.
 
It is the Flames' first victory over Northwestern since Sept. 16, 1995 (also a 3-2 decision), and UIC's third series win in 28 meetings with the Wildcats. It is also UIC's first road win over a Big Ten opponent in nearly 33 years (Oct. 26, 1990 – 3-2 at Northwestern).  
Sophomore Ayat Amin (Cairo, Egypt/Al Waha International School) had a match-high 18 kills and hit .304 to lead four Flames in double figures. Senior Martina Delucchi (La Plata, Argentina/San Cayetano) added 17 kills, eight digs and three blocks, sophomore Cleo Lorenzo (Belo Horizonte, Brazil/Elite) contributed a double-double with 11 kills and 14 digs and senior Zahria Woodard (Oak Park, Ill./Oak Park/River Forest) also had 11 kills. Senior Abigail Sunga (Fontana, Calif/Saint Lucy's Priory) chipped in with a match-high 18 digs.

COMMENT FROM HEAD COACH JUSTIN INGRAM 

"I think as the match went on we started gaining confidence offensively. We started really motoring forward in the third, fourth and fifth set and we feel great about those who were out contributing today. We had a different lineup today than this past weekend but we are rolling with it and are feeling pretty good."
     
FIRST SET (25-20, NU)
  • After the Wildcats began the match on an 8-0 run, the Flames broke the dry spell behind the first kill of the night by Delucchi.
  • That sparked a 10-2 run to tie it up at 10-10. The surge was highlighted by kills from Amin and Lorenzo, freshman Gabi Peter (Gilbert, Ill./Hampshire) and capped by another from Delucchi. That forced the Wildcats to call a timeout.
  • Trading point-for-point in the middle of the set, the Flames remained within striking distance, trailing 20-17 after Delucchi's third kill of the set.
  • Amin's second kill helped UIC stave off the first set point, but NU converted on its second chance to close out the frame.
 
SECOND SET (25-18, NU)
  • Lorenzo collected her fourth kill of match to bring the Flames within one early (9-8).
  • Amin's fifth kill of the match drew UIC even at 13-13, one of nine ties in the set.
  • Eight assists from sophomore Francesca Venturini (Bergamo, Italy/Liceo Classico Paolo Sarpi) brought the setter's total to 13 midway through the match.
  • In a sign of things to come, the Flames got their first ace of the night from Lorenzo to close within 23-18 before the Wildcats finished the set to take a 2-0 lead in the match.
 
THIRD SET (25-23, UIC)
  • Northwestern started the set on a 5-0 run before Delucchi earned her sixth kill of the match to get the Flames on the board.
  • The Flames cut into the Wildcats' lead with their own 5-0 run, highlighted by Venturini's two aces.
  • Northwestern rebuilt an 18-13 lead and led by a 19-15 margin midway through the set.
  • The Flames then came alive with a 7-2 run, taking the lead for the first time in the frame at 22-21 on Delucchi's kill.
  • With her first solo block of the match, Woodard earned a pair of set points for UIC. After the Wildcats fought off the first Flames' try, Lorenzo cashed in the second opportunity to earn the set for UIC.
 
FOURTH SET (25-10, UIC)
  • The Flames carried the momentum from their third-set win into the fourth, breaking away from the Wildcats with a 6-1 run to grab a 10-6 lead.
  • Northwestern got as close as 11-8 before UIC scored seven unanswered points, the last six on the serve of freshman Celimar Hoyos (Caguas, Puerto Rico/Archbishop McCarthy).
  • A Wildcat kill only briefly stopped the Flames' run, as UIC scored seven of the final eight points in the set, punctuated by Amin's 17th kill of the match and an ace from Delucchi on set point (the Flames' eighth ace of the night and fourth of the fourth set).
 
FIFTH SET (15-11, UIC)
  • The deciding set was a back-and-forth affair, with eight ties and seven lead changes in the early going.
  • UIC finally took the lead for good with a 4-0 run, the last three points coming on the serve of freshman Tamara Kisic (Belgrade, Serbia), who fired the Flames' 10th and final ace of the night for a 9-8 lead.
  • Northwestern twice got within two points the last at 12-10, but a Delucchi kill and a Wildcat attack error gave UIC four match points.
  • On their second try, the Flames capped off the thrilling comeback win as Woodard hammered home her 11th kill of the night.
 
UP NEXT FOR THE FLAMES
The Flames return to the court at noon Friday when they visit another Chicagoland foe, Loyola (2-6) at Gentile Arena The match will be streamed live on ESPN+.
 
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).
 
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