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Francesca Venturini

Volleyball Opens 2024 Season at FGCU’s Hilton Garden Inn Fort Myers Classic

Flames slated to face off against FGCU, UAlbany and North Dakota State Friday and Saturday.

8/29/2024 11:06:00 AM

FORT MYERS, FLA. (Aug. 29, 2024) – The UIC volleyball team opens its 2024 season in the Sunshine State, competing in Florida Gulf Coast's Hilton Garden Inn Fort Myers Classic this weekend.
 
UIC at FGCU's Hilton Garden Inn Fort Myers Classic
 
Where: Alico Arena (12181 FGCU Lake Pkway E, Fort Myers, Fla. 33913)
 
When: Friday Aug. 30 – Saturday, Aug. 31
 
Tickets: Click link here.
 
Schedule
 
Friday, Aug. 30
UIC vs. UAlbany
1 p.m. (CT)
Live Stats
 
Saturday, Aug. 31
UIC vs. North Dakota State
12:30 p.m. (CT)
Live Stats
 
UIC vs. FGCU
6 p.m. (CT)
ESPN+
Live Stats
 
FLAMES SELECTED SECOND IN 2024 MVC PRESEASON COACHES' POLL
 
  • The Flames were selected second in the Missouri Valley Conference's 2024 Coaches Poll on Aug. 21.
  • This is the highest ranking in a coaches' preseason poll that UIC has received since joining The Valley in July 2022 and the sixth consecutive top-three preseason poll ranking dating back to UIC's 2018 season in the Horizon League.
  • Graduate student Zahria Woodard (Oak Park, Ill./Oak Park and River Forest) were among the seven names selected to the 2024 MVC All-Conference Preseason Team, earning her first preseason honor of her career.
  • Woodard is coming off a stellar 2023 season, setting program and single season records in blocking assists (373, 155) and total blocks (426, 177). She led The Valley with an average of 1.47 blocks per set, enroute to being selected as a two-time MVC Defensive Player of the Week and a member of the All-MVC First Team.
 
FULL MVC PRESEASON COACHES' POLL RESULTS
Team (First Place Votes) Points
  1. UNI (10)
 141
  1. UIC (1)
 129
  1. Drake
 110
  1. Illinois State (1)
 98
  1. Southern Illinois
 85
  1. Missouri State
 74
       6.    Valparaiso 74
       8.    Murray State 68
       9.    Evansville 56
     10.   Belmont 53
     11.   Bradley 27
 
 
FLAMES FACTS
 
  • The Flames hold an overall record of 3-1 against their tournament opponents. Saturday's contest against FGCU marks the first time both programs are set to face off.
  • Head coach Justin Ingram is one win away from being the second most winning-est volleyball coach in UIC history. He aims to surpass Mary Kapsalis (1971-75) sitting at 132 wins in the record book.  
  • Junior setter Francesca Venturini (Bergamo, Italy/ Liceo Classico Sarpi) has a nine-match streak of 10+ assists dating back to UIC's 3-1 victory at home against Murray State on Oct. 27, 2023.
 
SUPPORT OUR SCHOLAR-ATHLETES!
 
Fans are strongly encouraged to support NIL opportunities for UIC scholar-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
 
 
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