CHICAGO – The UIC volleyball team (3-6, 0-0 MVC) returns to the road this week, staying close to home with matchups against Loyola Chicago (3-5, 0-0 A-10), Northern Illinois (5-4, 0-0 Horizon) and DePaul (6-3, 0-0 BIG EAST).

The Flames will battle the Blue Demons and the Ramblers as a part of the Chicago Cup, while also facing Northern Illinois in non-conference action. Every match will be available to stream on ESPN+ with live stats available at UICFlames.com

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

Thursday, Sept. 17
at Loyola
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Where: Gentile Arena
TV: ESPN+
Live Stats: UICFlames.com
Ticket information: Click this link here.

Friday, Sept. 18
at Northern Illinois  
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Where: NIU Convocation Center  
TV: ESPN+
Live Stats: UICFlames.com
Ticket information: Click this link here.

Saturday, Sept. 19
at DePaul  
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Where: McGrath-Phillips Arena  
TV: ESPN+
Live Stats: UICFlames.com
Ticket information: Click this link here.

SCOUTING LOYOLA CHICAGO

• This will be the 75^th match-up between the Ramblers and the Flames, with Loyola holding a 39-35 overall lead on the series.
• After a tough start, the Ramblers had a great weekend at home, winning matches against SEMO (4-5, 0-0 OVC), Bradley (4-5, 0-0 MVC) and Alabama A&M (5-5,0-0 SWAC) home at Gentile Arena.
• Sophomore Leyna Nguyen had a strong weekend, finishing with 63 kills, including a collegiate-high 27 kills in the five-set victory over the Braves on Saturday. She also collected 19 digs, four service aces and three total blocks. She earned Atlantic-10's Offensive Player of the Week for her efforts.
• Sophomore Katie Scherer also is a huge contributor on the attack for the Ramblers, collecting 17 kills against SEMO on Thursday and a dozen kills against Alabama A&M.

SCOUTING NORTHERN ILLINOIS

• Friday night's matchup will mark the 40th meeting between the programs. Northern Illinois leads the all-time series 30-9, with UIC seeking its first win over the Huskies since 2012.
• The Huskies had a great weekend at the SIUE Cougar Clash, collecting sweeping wins against Chicago State (0-9, 0-0 NEC), Arkansas- Pine Bluff (3-7, 0-0 SWAC) and the Cougars (2-7, 0-0 OVC)
• Junior Ava Grevengoed leads Northern Illinois with 81 kills, averaging 2.70 kills per set.
• Rylea Alvin is a defensive pillar for the Huskies, collecting eight solo blocks, leading the team with 25 total blocks.

SCOUTING DEPAUL

• Saturday's matchup will mark the 51st meeting between the Blue Demons and Flames. The teams have split the past four meetings, 2-2.
• Co-hosting with the Flames this past weekend the UIC-DePaul Invitational, the Blue Demons finished the weekend with sweeping wins over Central Michigan (0-10, 0-0 MAC) and Western Michigan (6-3, 0-0 MAC) at home.
• In the win over the Broncos, junior Jade Dudley-Epps broke a 19-year-old program record, swinging an impressive .895 hitting percentage with 17 kills in the win.
•  Sophomore Kendall Timme has a strong showing early in the season, leading DePaul with 118 kills, averaging 3.93 kills per set.

UIC-DEPAUL INVITATIONAL RECAP

• In their first weekend home at Credit Union 1 Arena, the Flames finished 2-1 with sweeping wins over the Broncos and the Chippewas.
• In Sunday's win over Western Michigan, the Flames hit a combined .422 - the sixth-best hitting percentage in a single match in program history.
• Senior Tamara Kisic earned All-Invitational Team honors after posting a team-high 30 kills on the weekend. She added 20 digs, good for second on the roster, and tied for second with three service aces.
• Sophomore Emma Colombari was vital in the Flames sweep over the Broncos, collecting 14 kills in the win.
   

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