CHICAGO – For the first time this season, the UIC volleyball team (1-5, 0-0 MVC) remains home at Credit Union 1 Arena this weekend, as they host its share of the UIC-DePaul Invitational set to begin this Friday.
 
The entire invitational will be available to stream on ESPN+ with Saturday's match against Central Michigan (0-7, 0-0 MAC) at 6 p.m. also being televised on the Marquee Sports Network. Every match can also be followed through live stats at UICFlames.com.
 
Details on single match tickets for the 2026 season will be available via the UIC Athletics Ticket Office, which can be reached by phone (312.996.5580) or e-mail (athleticsticketing@uic.edu).
 
UIC FLAMES hosts UIC-DEPAUL INVITATIONAL
 When: Friday, Sept. 11- Saturday, Sept. 13
Where: Credit Union 1 Arena
Invitational Schedule
Friday, Sept. 11
vs. Auburn (4-2, 0-0 SEC)
6 p.m. (CT)
ESPN+
Live Stats
PROMOTION: UIC Campus Community Match-- Campus organizations are invited to attend and table at the match, while faculty and staff are encouraged to bring their families and cheer on the Flames. The first 100 fans in attendance will receive a foam finger.
 
Saturday, Sept. 12
vs. Central Michigan
6 p.m. (CT)
Marquee Sports Network
ESPN+
Live Stats
PROMOTION: Team Impact Celebration/Post-Match Autographs
 
Sunday, Sept. 13
vs. Western Michigan (6-1, 0-0 MAC)
2 p.m. (CT)
ESPN+
Live Stats
 
SCOUTING AUBURN

• This will be the second time both programs are set to meet on the volleyball court, with the Tigers winning the only previous match-up against the Flames back in 1997.
• UIC will face its first Southeastern Conference opponent in 22 years, seeking its first win against an SEC opponent since defeating Mississippi, 3-0, at home Sept. 5, 2003.
• After sweeping every match in the Buccaneer Classic, the Tigers dropped back-to-back showings against #13 Minnesota (2-2, 0-0 Big Ten) and #6 Wisconsin (3-3, 0-0 Big Ten) at the BIG Ten/SEC Challenge over Labor Day Weekend.
• Auburn would bounce back in a midweek match-up against Florida State (4-3, 0-0 ACC) on the road Tuesday night with a 3-1 victory. Junior Belle Patrick led the way on the attack for the Tigers, collecting 14 kills in the win.

 
SCOUTING CENTRAL MICHIGAN

• This will be the 10^th match-up between the Flames and the Chippewas. Central Michigan has a 7-3 overall record in the series, with UIC taking back-to-back victories in 2018 and 2019.
• The Chippewas are in search of their first win of the season, having competed in Washington State's Cougar Invitational and their own Heart of the Mitt Invitational over the first two weekends of play.
• Sophomore outside hitter Taylor Cripe has been off to strong start this season, leading the Chippewas with 75 kills, averaging 3.41 kills per set.
• The tandem of junior Teyhlor Thomas and freshman Brenna Storz led Central Michigan's defense, each collecting 19 total blocks a piece.

 
SCOUTING WESTERN MICHIGAN

• This will be the 13^th meet-up between UIC and Western Michigan. The Flames are in search of their first victory since 1992, with the Broncos holding an 11-1 overall record in the series.
• Western Michigan had a strong start to the season, going 6-0 after winning every match at their home tournament, followed by winning out at the Omaha Tournament.
• The Broncos six-match winning streak would get snapped in a midweek match-up on the road against Michigan State Tuesday night. Junior Izzy Swiercz led the Broncos with eight kills in the match and junior Leah Richmond collected 24 assists in the contest.
• Junior Annalise Patchett leads Western Michigan this season with 77 kills, averaging 3.08 kills per set.

LAST WEEKEND RECAP – TOMMIE INVITATIONAL

• The Flames battled it at out in the Tommie Invitational, going 1-2 over Labor Day weekend, including a reverse sweep victory over St. Thomas (1-3, 0-0 Summit)
• Finishing with 18 kills over seven sets played, freshman Martina Cerrato led UIC with an average of 2.57 kills per set.
• Senior Tamara Kisic finished the weekend with a team-leading 24 kills and ranked second on the team in digs with 35, trailing only sophomore Ava Young, who recorded 40 digs. The libero earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team
• Freshman middle blocker Robyn Ward was the only member of UIC to hit double-digit blocks, collecting 10 blocking assists against St. Thomas (1-3, 0-0 Summit) and Montana State.

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