The UIS volleyball team improved to 4-1 on the season after picking up two wins Friday at the Hall of Fame City Challenge, defeating host Malone and Bloomsburg by identical 3-1 scores.

UIS vs. Malone | W, 3-1
In the afternoon matchup against Malone, the Prairie Stars bounced back from a slow start to take the match 17-25, 25-22, 25-23, 25-20. UIS dropped the opening set after a string of attack errors but steadied in set two, capitalizing on seven Pioneer errors to even the match. The third set stayed tight until UIS closed on an 8-0 run, highlighted by three late kills from Makenna Cox. In the fourth, the Stars built an early cushion, weathered a mid-set push from Malone, and pulled away down the stretch.

Kendall Johnson led the attack with 15 kills, while Cox added 11 and Lexie Vick tallied six with a .364 hitting percentage. Erica Sledge directed the offense with 32 assists and posted a double-double with 15 digs. Cox (13 digs) and Tuana Yuce (11 digs) also anchored the defense, while Vick recorded a team-high four blocks. UIS finished with five service aces.

UIS vs. Bloomsburg | W, 3-1
The evening match was another tight battle, with UIS prevailing 25-19, 25-20, 24-26, 25-22.

The Prairie Stars opened strong, taking the first set 25-19, and extended the lead with a 25-20 win in set two. Set three slipped away after UIS led 22-17, as Bloomsburg mounted a late rally to edge it 26-24. The Stars regrouped in the fourth, stringing together points down the stretch to secure the match despite the Huskies staying within reach.

Makenna Cox turned in her best match of the young season with 19 kills, while Kendall Johnson added 11 and Lexie Vick chipped in eight. UIS dominated at the service line with 11 aces, including three from Erica Sledge and two each from Tuana Yuce and Johnson. Yuce anchored the defense with 22 digs, while Sledge tallied 36 assists. Madeline Mendelblatt led the blocking effort with three.

Up Next
UIS continues play at the Hall of Fame City Challenge on Saturday, taking on Slippery Rock at 10:15 a.m. CT and Bluefield State at 2:45 p.m. CT.