CHICAGO – Mallory Keller recorded 11 kills Friday night but UIC led nearly wire-to-wire in a three-set win over visiting Indiana State (25-15, 25-23, 25-14) inside the Flames Athletic Center.
 
Emma Kaelin finished with 23 assists and 11 digs for a double-double, while Kaitlyn Hamilton had five kills and a team-leading four blocks for the Sycamores.
 
UIC took the lead early in the first set, but the Sycamores remained within three throughout the early stages. Kills by Keller and Karinna Gall helped Indiana State tie the set at 11, but it was all UIC from there. Despite a block assist by Hamilton and Storm Suhre, the Flames went on an 11-2 run to put the opening set out of reach. UIC took a 1-0 lead in the match after claiming the first set 25-15.
 
Similar to the first set, UIC took an early lead but kills by Keller and Gall tied it at five-all. Kills by Suhre and Jamie Brown midway through the set, along with a block assist by Hamilton and Suhre evened the set midway through at 14-14, and Keller later added a block solo to put the Trees in front 17-16. UIC responded, though, scoring six straight points to take a 22-17 lead that they never relinquished. Hamilton helped Indiana State fend off three straight set points with a pair of kills, but the Sycamores found themselves in a hole after UIC claimed the second set 25-23.
 
UIC raced out to a 9-1 lead in the third set and never looked back, as Indiana State couldn't get into a rhythm. Keller and Hamilton combined for five kills in the middle stages of the set, but the Sycamores were unable to cut into their deficit as UIC continued to put pressure on the ISU defense. A kill by Keller and a service ace by Storm Suhre gave Indiana State some late life, but a pair of attack errors gave UIC the third set 25-14, clinching the win for the home side.
 
Inside the Numbers

• Indiana State's eight blocks (2.67 per set) was above its season average of 2.30, despite having just one block in the first set.
• Mallory Keller's 11 kills were her most in a match this month. Keller has 25 kills over her last three matches, averaging 2.78 kills per set in that span.

 
News and Notes

• Friday's match was the first of four straight on the road for Indiana State. The Sycamores will also travel to Valparaiso, Southern Illinois and Missouri State within the next eight days.
• Friday's meeting between Indiana State and UIC was the first between the schools since the opening weekend of the 2000 season.
• Indiana State had the advantage in blocks for the eighth consecutive match, a streak that dates back to the Sycamores' October 7 match against Missouri State.

 
 
Up Next
Indiana State remains on the road to face Valparaiso Saturday at 6 p.m.
 
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