The UIS volleyball team began the final day of the Kentucky Wesleyan Invitational with a commanding 3-0 victory over West Alabama, winning decisively by scores of 25-8, 25-10, and 25-16. In their afternoon match against Thomas More, the Prairie Stars faced a tougher challenge, ultimately emerging victorious in a five-set battle. The final scores were 20-25, 11-25, 25-11, 25-21, and 15-7.
 

UIS 3 | UWA 0

• Set 1: UIS set the tone early, delivering a relentless offensive display that overwhelmed West Alabama. The Prairie Stars notched 11 kills while holding West Alabama to just 8 total points. UIS achieved a .429 hitting percentage
• Set 2: The Prairie Stars continued their strong performance, registering 15 kills and maintaining a .400 hitting percentage. Despite West Alabama's efforts to stabilize, the set ended with a 25-10 scoreline in favor of UIS
• Set 3: UIS sealed the match with another commanding performance. With 12 kills and a .308 hitting percentage, the Prairie Stars outpaced West Alabama. The set concluded 25-16, securing the match for UIS
• Makenna Cox led the Prairie Stars with 9 kills and a .316 hitting percentage
• Eirini Glynou added 8 kills and played a pivotal role in the front row, while Carly Michels delivered 7 kills and a .583 hitting percentage
• Erica Sledge showcased her setting skills with 25 assists, directing the offense efficiently and ensuring smooth plays throughout the match
• Defensively, Glynou and Anna Laincz led with 10 and 9 digs respectively 
• UIS improved to 6-1 on the season

Stats at a Glance:

• Kills: UIS 38, UWA 18
• Hitting Percentage: UIS .377, UWA -.012
• Assists: UIS 30, UWA 17
• Service Aces: UIS 8, UWA 1
• Digs: UIS 40, UWA 25
• Blocks: UIS 3, UWA 5

UIS 3 | TMU 2

• Set 1: The first set was fairly even, but Thomas More edged ahead to win it 25-20 after completing 18 kills on 34 attack attempts as UIS totaled 12 kills on 29 attempts
• Set 2: TMU won the second set more dominantly, breaking away after a string of UIS attack errors to win the set by fourteen points
• Set 3: UIS worked on turning things around in the third set, starting it 15-2 as TMU made a number of mistakes. UIS hit .412 with 16 kills on 34 attempts
• Set 4: UIS carried the momentum into the fourth set. Despite a resilient effort from Thomas More, balanced attacking by UIS allowed them to level the match by winning the set 25-21
• Set 5: UIS was the first to 15 in the final set in which Eirini Glynou contributed six kills 
• Makenna Cox led UIS with 19 kills and a .415 hitting percentage, while Eirini Glynou added 15 kills and Carly Michels contributed 13
• Erica Sledge orchestrated the offense with 45 assists and played a crucial role in the win. Defensively, Anna Laincz and Cox each tallied 15 digs, with Glynou adding 11
• Thomas More fell to 4-4 while the Prairie Stars improved to 7-1 with the win

Stats at a Glance:

• Kills: UIS 58, Thomas More 57
• Hitting Percentage: UIS .289, Thomas More .253
• Assists: UIS 51, Thomas More 55
• Service Aces: UIS 8, Thomas More 8
• Digs: UIS 64, Thomas More 72
• Blocks: UIS 5, Thomas More 5

Up Next
Next for UIS is the PSU Regional Challenge on Sept. 19-21, hosted by Pittsburg State in Pittsburg, Kan.