NORMAL, Ill. – The UIC volleyball team (10-14, 6-6 MVC) will travel for two crucial Missouri Valley Conference match ups this weekend. The Flames will face Illinois State (17-7, 8-5 MVC) Friday night before heading to Peoria, Ill. to square off with Bradley (13-12, 8-5 MVC) on Saturday afternoon.
 
UIC enters the weekend sixth in The Valley standings, chasing third-place Illinois State and fourth-place Bradley. The top six teams make the MVC postseason tournament, with the top four teams being guaranteed a home match. The Flames, Redbirds and Braves are separated by just two games.
 
UIC FLAMES at ILLINOIS STATE REDBIRDS / BRADLEY BRAVES
 
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Friday, Nov. 6
at Illinois State
Time: 6 p.m. (CT)
ESPN+ | Live Stats
 
Saturday, Nov. 7
at Bradley
Time: 3 p.m. (CT)
ESPN+ | Live Stats
 
SCOUTING ILLINOIS STATE

• This will be the 23rd match-up between the programs, with the Redbirds holding a 17-6 edge.
• They last met on Sept. 25, with the Redbirds winning in four sets. Senior Gabi Peter tallied 10 kills to lead the Flames.
• Illinois State enters dropping three of their last four matches, losing to Bradley (13-12, 8-5 MVC) in four sets in its last match. Junior Ruth Ziegler paced the Redbirds in kills with 15.
• Ziegler leads the Redbirds in kills on the season with 197, averaging 2.66 kills per set. 

SCOUTING BRADLEY

• This will be the 36th meeting between the Flames and the Braves. UIC holds a 24-11 lead in the series, with the Flames currently on a 14 match win streak.
• They last met on Nov. 14, 2025, with UIC winning in four sets. Senior Mihaela Harizanova registered a team-high 29 assists.
• Bradley defeated Illinois State in four sets in its last match. Graduate student Cherlin Antonio anchored the Braves offense with 13 kills.
• Junior Maria Drapp currently leads the Braves and the MVC in total assists with 951 for the season.

LAST WEEKEND RECAP – vs. MURRAY STATE / BELMONT

• On the road last weekend, the Flames fell to Murray State in straight sets, and Belmont in five sets.
• Senior Tamara Kisic led the Flames with 13.5 total points against Murray State, recording a team-high 12 kills, one service ace and one block assist.
• Sophomore Ava Young collected a team-high 23 digs and recorded four assists in the five set loss against Belmont.
• Sophomore Ana Petrides totaled 23 total points over the two matches, tallying 17 kills, eight block assists, one service ace and one solo block.

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