CHICAGO – Hosting its final two regular-season games of the 2026 season, the UIC volleyball team (10-17, 6-9 MVC) began its weekend action by welcoming the conference-undefeated Northern Iowa Panthers (21-5, 15-0) to the Flames Athletic Center. The Flames would take the conference-leading Panthers to five sets before ultimately falling 3-2.
Gabi Peter led the Flames in kills with 16.
Tamara Kisic notched nine kills, one service ace, and 18 digs.
Ana Petrides tallied six kills, one service ace, and six total blocks.
UIC powered through the first set, taking a 25-22 victory. A 6-1 run in the middle of the set gave the Flames enough separation to hold off the Panthers' late comeback attempt. During the run, Petrides recorded two kills and a service ace.
UNI carried much of the momentum in the second set, winning 25-13. Towards the end of the set, the Flames took five points, with three coming from kills by Petrides, Kisic, and Peter.
The Flames came out strong in the third set, starting action off with an 8-1 run. Three kills came from the run, as well as a service ace by
Mihaela Harizanova. The Panthers would mount a late comeback, tying the set at 23-23 before the Flames took the final two points to win 25-23. Peter recorded a kill while she and Petrides picked up a block on the set point.
In the fourth, the Flames took the first point before the Panthers recorded 10 straight. UIC was unable to shift momentum back its way, as the Panthers took set four 25-11.
With the match on the line in the fifth set, Peter started the Flames off strong with a kill off a
Paulina Ströh. The Panthers would turn the set in their favor, though, going on a 5-1 run to jump ahead 5-2. Unfortunately for the Flames, UIC was never able to regain the lead, ultimately dropping the set 15-7.
The entire play-by-play and box score can be found
here.
SOCIAL MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS
UP NEXT
The Flames close out the 2026 regular season tomorrow, hosting the Drake Bulldogs (15-12, 10-5 MVC) inside the Flames Athletic Center. First serve is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. CT. The match will be streamed on
ESPN+ with live stats available on
UICFlames.com.
Tomorrow's game will mark Alumnae Night and Hometown Heroes Night for the Flames.
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For more information on UIC volleyball, fans are encouraged to visit
UICFlames.com, or follow the Flames on social media through X (
@UIC_Volleyball and
@UICFlames) and Instagram (
@uicvolleyball and
@uicflames).
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