CHICAGO – The UIC volleyball team (10-16, 6-8 MVC) will close out its regular season at home as it hosts two critical Missouri Valley Conference match-ups this weekend as it looks to make a final push to secure a spot in the MVC tournament. The Flames will face Northern Iowa (20-5, 14-0 MVC) Friday night and Drake (14-12, 9-5 MVC) on Saturday night.
 
UIC enters the weekend seventh in The Valley standings, chasing sixth place Valparaiso. The Flames and Beacons both currently sit with six conference wins. The top six teams make the MVC postseason tournament, with the top four teams being guaranteed a home match.
 
Fans attending the match on Friday will receive a UIC volleyball shirsey as supplies last.
 
UIC FLAMES vs NORTHERN IOWA PANTHERS / DRAKE BULLDOGS
 
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Friday, Nov. 13
vs Northern Iowa
Time: 6 p.m. (CT)
ESPN+ | Live Stats
Shirsey Giveaway
 
Saturday, Nov. 14
vs Drake
Time: 5 p.m. (CT)
ESPN+ | Live Stats
Alumnae Night
Hometown Heroes Night
 
SCOUTING NORTHERN IOWA

• This will be the 22nd meeting between the programs, with the Panthers holding a 19-2 series lead.
• They last met on Oct. 17, with Northern Iowa winning in straight sets. Sophomore Ana Petrides tallied eight kills to lead the Flames.
• Northern Iowa enters as MVC regular season champions, and on a 68 match conference win streak, dating back to Nov. 22, 2022. In its last match, Northern Iowa defeated Southern Illinois in straight sets. Senior Cassidy Hartman posted 21 kills to pace the Panthers attack.
• Hartman is one of three Panthers to lead the MVC in a statistical category, leading in kills per set with 4.34. Junior Reese Booth leads in assists per set with 10.49 and junior Maryn Bixby leads in blocks per set with 1.24.

SCOUTING DRAKE

• This will be the 20th meeting between the Flames and the Bulldogs. UIC will look to tie the all-time series, as Drake currently holds a 10-9 advantage. 
• They last met on Oct. 16, with UIC winning in four sets. Senior Tamara Kisic registered a career-high 21 kills.
• Drake has won six of its last seven matches, beating Belmont in four sets its last time out. Sophomore Katie Quick 44 assists, her third straight 40-plus assist match.
• Fifth Year Jasmine Dulan leads the Bulldogs and the MVC in digs with 527 and 5.22 digs per set.

LAST WEEKEND RECAP – vs. ILLINOIS STATE / BRADLEY

• On the road last weekend, the Flames fell to both Illinois State and Bradley, with both matches ending in four sets.
• Senior Gabi Peter paced the Flames attack with 15 kills against Illinois State.
• Sophomore Ava Young recorded a career-high 30 digs against Bradley
• Senior Mihaela Harizanova totaled 44 assists across the two matches last weekend.

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