CHICAGO (Oct. 10, 2024) – The UIC volleyball team (11-6, 3-2 MVC) finishes off their five match homestand in Missouri Valley Conference play with matchups against Missouri State (7-10, 1-4 MVC) and Southern Illinois (8-8, 1-4 MVC) over the weekend at Credit Union 1 Arena.
 
Each match will be available to stream on ESPN+ with Peter Ferreri on the call for both matches. Live stats will also be available at UICFlames.com . Admission at Credit Union 1 Arena is free to the public, with doors opening one hour before first serve.
 
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
 
Friday, Oct. 11
vs. Missouri State (7-10, 1-4 MVC)
ESPN+
Live Stats
 
Saturday, Oct. 12
vs. Missouri State (8-8, 1-4 MVC)
ESPN+
Live Stats
 
SCOUTING MISSOURI STATE

• This will be the eighth match-up between the Bears and the Flames. Although Missouri State holds a 4-3 lead on the overall series, the Flames have won three of the past four meetings since joining the MVC.
• Barring a potential playoff match-up, this could be the final time both teams could face off with the Bears leaving The Valley after the academic year.
• The Bears snapped a three-match losing streak in conference play with a four-set win over Bradley (8-8, 3-1 MVC) at home last weekend.
• Freshman Aniya Joseph has made her presence known in The Valley, racking up 143 kills to average the fourth-highest kills per set in the conference (3.97). The outside hitter has already been named MVC Player of the Week and Freshman of the Week twice this season for the Bears.
• The match-up between the Bears and Flames will also be UIC's Dig Pink Match, honoring and celebrating those that have been a part of the fight against breast cancer. The first 50 students in attendance will receive a breast cancer awareness themed UIC shirt to take home.

 
SCOUTING SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

• The Flames and the Salukis are set to battle on the court for the 12^th time in program history. Southern Illinois has a 7-4 lead on the overall series with the Flames having won two of the past three meetings since joining the MVC.
• Southern Illinois collected an early MVC victory over Missouri State on Sept. 19 at the Saluki Invitational but are in the midst of a four-match slide, looking for its first win since Sept. 21.
• The Salukis are among some of the top defensive teams in The Valley, ranking third in blocks per set (2.01).
• Junior Larissa Seger and freshman Eva Krakwoski leads the defense for Southern Illinois, collecting a combined 105 total blocks for the Salukis.

 
LAST TIME OUT – VALPARAISO
 

• The Flames' attack couldn't be stopped Tuesday night at Credit Union 1 Arena Tuesday night, sweeping Valparaiso (9-8, 1-4 MVC) in mid-week MVC action.
• Junior Cleo Lorenzo (Belo Horizonte, Brazil/Elite) led with 12 kills and 10 digs. Freshman Antonie Kelnárová (Prague, Czech Republic) contributed nine kills and eight digs. Senior Kayanna Jones (Normal, Ill./Normal West) contributed eight kills in the victory.
• Junior setter Francesca Venturini (Bergamo, Italy/Liceo Classico Paolo Sarpi) colled four aces against the Beacons in the win. She has collected 14 service aces in the past four matches for the Flames.
• This marks UIC's sixth consecutive victory over Valparaiso since joining the MVC in July 2022.

 
SUPPORT OUR STUDENT-ATHLETES
 
Fans are strongly encouraged to support NIL opportunities for UIC student-athletes through contributions to The Chicago Collective.
 
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