Box Score The UIS volleyball team opened its season Friday  at the Illinois National Guard UIS Invitational, falling in three sets to Central Missouri at TRAC. Set scores were 25-16, 25-18, and 25-14.

UIS showed resilience throughout the match. Makenna Cox paced the Prairie Stars' offense with 12 kills on a .346 hitting percentage. Kendall Johnson added six kills, while Erica Sledge contributed two. Sledge directed the attack with 17 assists. 

Head coach Laura Ulrich praised the team's effort and the atmosphere inside TRAC. "I am proud of how the team kept learning and competing as the match went on," Ulrich said. "While we know there's work to do, this team has the drive to keep improving together every time we step on the court. The environment here at home was awesome! I loved seeing all the fans and family in the stands."

The invitational continues Saturday with two more matches for UIS. The Prairie Stars face Kentucky Wesleyan at 10 a.m. before closing out the tournament at 4:30 p.m. against Roosevelt.