UIC Athletics

ST. LOUIS — The UIC volleyball team showed flashes of promise on the opening day of the season at the Billiken Invitational, but ultimately fell to both Buffalo (3-2) and Lindenwood (3-0) at Chaifetz Pavilion in St. Louis. The Flames chalked up 24 combined blocks during their two matches on Friday and picked up numerous contributions up and down the roster in both contests. UIC will return to the court at 2 p.m. (CT) Saturday, closing out its opening weekend of action as it takes on tournament host Saint Louis. The match will be televised live on ESPN+, while live stats can be found at UICFlames.com.

MATCH 1: Buffalo
UIC fell to Buffalo (22-25, 18-25, 25-17, 25-23, 13-15) in a closely-contested five-set match, the program's first season-opening five-setter since a win over St. Thomas to begin the 2023 campaign. Emma Colombari led the Flames' attack with a career-high 15 kills and three aces, while Gabi Peter added 14 kills on a .448 hitting percentage. Ana Petrides also made a significant impact at the net with career highs of 10 kills and 10 blocks, posting her first career double-double. Mihaela Harizanova facilitated the UIC offense with 38 assists.

-Set 1-
Both teams exchanged early points before UIC went on a 7-0 run to grab a 16-9 lead on an ace by Paulina Ströh. However, Buffalo mounted a late surge and claimed the set 25-22.

-Set 2-
Buffalo grabbed an early lead, but UIC narrowed the margin to two on a couple of occasions with strong efforts, including a pair of service aces from Petrides. Another ace from Colombari later in the set brought the Flames back within 18-14 before the Bulls closed out the frame.

-Set 3-
UIC bolted to a 6-2 lead behind two Colombari kills and stretched the margin to 10-4 on a kill and two blocks from Petrides. After Buffalo got as close as 12-9, the Flames put the set away with a 9-1 run, featuring four kills from Peter.

-Set 4-
The Flames sent the match to five following a nip-and-tuck fourth that saw neither team lead by more than two points the entire way. Tied at 23-all, UIC finally got the upper hand when Harizanova dumped one over for a kill, then teamed with Petrides for the set-clinching block.

-Set 5-
Buffalo struck the first blow with a 5-0 run, but UIC answered with five of the next six points, drawing level at 7-all on a Peter kill. It was still a one-point set (10-9 UB) after Colombari's kill, but the Bulls turned matters back their way with three in a row. The Flames again rallied with their own three-point run, narrowing the Buffalo lead to 13-12 following a Martina Cerrato ace and an attack error. After the Bulls reached match point, Tamara Kisic fought off the first with a kill before UB clinched the nailbiter on their second match point. 

MATCH 2: Lindenwood
UIC fell to Lindenwood in straight sets (23-25, 19-25, 16-25) despite posting double-digit blocks (10) for the second consecutive match. Petrides led the Flames' offense with seven kills on a .462 hitting percentage, while Colombari had a team-high nine kills. Peter stood out defensively with five blocks, while Harizanova added 15 assists, six digs and three blocks.

-Set 1-
The teams traded sideouts for the first 12 points before Lindenwood scored four of five to take a 9-6 lead. UIC got back within 10-8 on a Peter kill, but the Lions tallied seven of the next eight to stretch their lead. The Flames made a valiant comeback down the stretch, using a 12-5 run to claw back within 22-21, thanks to a pair of kills each for Colombari and Petrides. Lindenwood steadied for three set points, but UIC wouldn't go quietly, fighting off the first two on a combo block from Peter and Jillian Gibbons, the second on an attack error, but the Lions finally prevailed on one last kill.

-Set 2-
The second set was one of runs early on, as both sides traded the lead. UIC had the advantage at 8-7 when Petrides delivered another kill, but Lindenwood then scored six in a row to take control. The Flames battled within two points twice, the second at 16-14 on a Petrides kill, but a mini 3-0 run by the Lions rebuilt their lead and UIC could only get within four points the rest of the frame.

-Set 3-
Things started well for UIC, scoring the opening two points, but Lindenwood reeled off six of the next seven. Still, the Flames wouldn't back down, getting within 9-7 on a Lions' service error before Lindenwood had another five-point run to stretch out the margin. UIC would get within five points on several occasions before the Lions closed out the match.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
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).