CHICAGO (Oct. 24, 2024) The UIC volleyball team (14-7, 6-3 MVC) returns home this weekend at Credit Union 1 Arena after a brief two-match road trip as the Flames are set to face off against Illinois State (11-11, 6-3 MVC) and Bradley (10-11, 5-4 MVC).
 
Matches will be available on ESPN+,  with Sam Brief on the call for both days. Live stats will be available for fans at UICFlames.com.
 
Upcoming Schedule
 
Friday, Oct. 25
 
vs. Illinois State (11-11, 6-3 MVC)
 
ESPN+
 
Live Stats
 
Saturday, Oct. 26
 
vs. Bradley (10-11, 5-4 MVC)
 
ESPN+
 
Live Stats
 
Scouting Illinois State
 

• This will be the Flames' ninth match up with Illinois State all time, with the Redbirds leading the series, 5-3.
• Currently tied at 6-3 against MVC opponents, the match will play a crucial role in determining the Missouri-Valley Conference tournament a month away.
• Illinois State will look to senior setter Mekaila Aupiu and MVC leader is assists per set to run an efficient offense as they take on the Flames.
• Aupiu's favorite target junior Aida Shadewald leads the Redbirds in kills, and ranks sixth in the conference with 3.83 kills per set.

 
Scouting Bradley
 

• On Saturday, the Braves will face the Flames for the 17th time in their history, with UIC leading the all-time series, 13-3.
• Bradley enters the weekend on a three-match losing streak but will have an opportunity to turn things around against Valparaiso before heading to Chicago to take on UIC.
• Bradley will rely on the strong performance of their outside duo, Iva Popovic and Silan Demirkol, who rank first and second in total kills for the Braves, as they prepare to take on the Flames.
• The Flames 5 p.m. (CT) match against the Braves is also Sparky's Kids Club Night/Youth Sports Day at Credit Union 1 Arena.

 
Last Weekend – Belmont/Murray State
 

• UIC opened the weekend with a four-set victory against Belmont (7-14, 2-7 MVC) Friday night at the Curb Event Center in Nashville, Tenn.
• Sophomore Gabi Peter (Gilbert, Ill./Hampshire High School) led the way for the Flames with a season high 14 kills.
•  The Flames battled back-and-forth, but after a third set victory, fell to Murray State (10-8, 5-4 MVC) in four sets Saturday night.
• Junior outside Cleo Lorenzo (Belo Horizonte, Brazil/Elite) was the kill leader Saturday, finishing with 14

 
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