The UIS volleyball team closed out the Illinois National Guard UIS Invitational on Saturday with a pair of wins at TRAC, moving to 2-1 to start the season.

The Prairie Stars opened the day with a sweep of Kentucky Wesleyan. UIS kept the Panthers in check behind an efficient offensive effort and a strong serving game. Makenna Cox led the way with 11 kills, while Kendall Johnson added 10. Erica Sledge turned in an all-around performance with 22 assists, six kills, three service aces, and seven digs. Lexie Vick contributed three blocks at the net.

UIS finished with nine aces, including three each from Cox and Sledge, to complete the 3-0 victory.

In the afternoon, UIS defeated Roosevelt in straight sets. The Stars opened with a 6-0 run and captured the first two sets by identical 25-20 scores. Roosevelt rallied in the third and held a late lead before UIS pulled even at 21. The Stars secured the match with a 25-23 win, capped by a block from Alexis Schwartz and Madison Siefken.

Johnson again paced UIS with nine kills, followed by Vick with seven. Sledge finished with 23 assists, four kills, and eight digs. Siefken added a team-high nine digs.

"I am very proud of the team and the way everyone competed today." said Coach Ulrich. "We leaned into who we want to be as a team and were able to come away with two wins! Shoutout to all the fans who came out this weekend, the support was felt."

Up Next
UIS will travel to Canton, Ohio, next weekend to compete in Malone's Hall of Fame City Challenge.