The UIS volleyball team opened the Midwest Region Crossover with a strong performance on Friday, winning both of their matches. They first defeated Ohio Dominican in four sets and then completed a dramatic five-set reverse sweep against Purdue Northwest, improving their record to 13-5 overall and 8-2 in neutral site matches.
UIS 3 | Ohio Dominican 1
- Set 1: The first set started in favor of UIS, but momentum shifted with a pair of four-point runs by Ohio Dominican. In a closely contested finish, ODU secured the set 26-24, capitalizing on key plays and UIS errors, including a pivotal service ace from Avery Saige
- Set 2: The Prairie Stars bounced back strong, using powerful kills from Makenna Cox and Eirini Glynou to take an early lead. Despite a brief response from ODU, UIS maintained their momentum, capitalizing on ODU's errors to secure the set 25-22, finishing with a strong run of the final five points
- Set 3: UIS continued to build on their momentum in the third set, starting 6-0 and showcasing a powerful offense that registered 17 kills. The team capitalized on ODU's defensive lapses, claiming the set 25-12, with Cox land Glynou combining for eight kills
- Set 4: The set began with the Prairie Stars taking an early lead, aided by strong plays from Eirini Glynou and Makenna Cox. ODU responded with effective serving to create scoring chances. However, UIS remained poised, regaining the lead when it mattered most. Glynou clinched the set with a decisive kill, solidifying the win for UIS
- Makenna Cox was a standout performer, contributing 21 of the team's 60 kills and 19 of the 69 digs
- Eirini Glynou and Carly Michels also made significant contributions, delivering 13 and 11 kills, respectively
- Setter Erica Sledge also excelled, recording 41 assists, nine digs, four aces, and three kills
UIS 3 | Purdue Northwest 2
- Set 1: In a competitive first set, UIS struggled to find their rhythm against Purdue Northwest, falling 25-19. Despite strong plays from Makenna Cox and Eirini Glynou, The Pride's effective attacks and solid defense allowed them to maintain control and secure the early lead in the match
- Set 2: UIS fought back in the second set, trading runs and tying the score at 23-23. However, the Prairie Stars fell 25-23, succumbing to three consecutive attack errors that allowed Purdue Northwest to clinch the set
- Set 3: UIS secured their first set of the match with a 25-23 victory. The team capitalized on Purdue Northwest's mistakes to gain an advantage and finished strong, closing the set with three consecutive kills
- Set 4: The Prairie Stars faced an early deficit of 10-5 in the fourth set, but rallied from Eirini Glynou's precise attacks. UIS ultimately secured the set 25-19, finishing with a decisive kill from Makenna Cox
- Set 5: The fifth set was tightly contested, tied at 5-5, but UIS quickly gained momentum with a five-point run that put them in control. They clinched the set 15-9, completing the comeback to win the match 3-2
- Eirini Glynou and Makenna Cox were standout performers for UIS, contributing 20 and 18 kills, respectively
- Setter Erica Sledge excelled with 46 assists, while the defense was anchored by Anna Laincz and Cox, who each recorded 19 digs
Up Next
UIS will face Cedarville at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday to close out the Midwest Region Crossover.