CHICAGO – UIC's offense was too much as the South Dakota State volleyball team lost in three sets to the Flames Wednesday in the Flames Athletic Center in front of 187 fans.
The Jackrabbits (1-9) lost 26-16, 25-15 and 25-22 to the Flames (7-3). SDSU was limited to 29 kills and 36 digs while UIC had 49 kills and 51 digs.
Sophomore Ashlynn Smith led the Jacks with nine kills and a season-high four block assists. Junior Sierra Peterson added four kills, team-high seven digs and three block assists.
Kyisha Hunt had match-best 13 kills while Carla Salvato had a match-high 13 digs.
Turning Point
In the first set, the Jackrabbits fell behind 5-0 early as UIC had five-straight kills. SDSU rebounded to just three down at 8-5 on freshman Macy Smith's kill. The Flames then used a 5-1 run to take a 13-6 lead. SDSU got within five after a block from Peterson and Ashlynn Smith, but UIC scored four of the next five points to take a 17-9 lead and then the set.
The Jackrabbits battled early in the second set, tying UIC 8-8 after a Peterson kill, a Macy Smith service ace and a Flames' attack error. The teams traded points to 12-12, before UIC used a 13-3 run to close the set.
SDSU tied the third set at 8-8 and then took a three-point lead, 12-9, on a Peterson kill. The Jackrabbits maintained a two-point lead until UIC tied the set at 19-19. The Flames took a 21-19 lead, but a Peterson kill and a UIC error tied the match at 21-21. The Jacks never regained the lead, giving up four kills down the streak.
Notables: Mattison Munger recorded nine set assists and now has 1,762 career assists. She ranks 10th on the SDSU career list ... Macy Smith logged a career-high four block assists ... The Jackrabbits had 16 block assists vs. UIC. It was the fifth time this season with 10-or-more block assists in a match.
Up Next; South Dakota State returns to action Friday when it plays Bradley at 10 a.m. and Grand Canyon at 3:30 p.m.
