CHICAGO, Ill. – Despite a balanced offensive attack, the Pacific volleyball team dropped a 25-22, 21-25, 25-16, 25-22 non-conference decision to UIC Friday afternoon at the Windy City Invitational.
 
Despite the loss, The Tigers (2-3) outscored the Flames (4-1) in multiple statistical categories, including recording a game-high 58 kills, 55 assists, 65 digs, and registered 69 points.
 
After dropping a close first set, the Tigers bounced back and tied the match at one set apiece. Darina Kumanova led the team throughout the second set, recording nine kills in the second frame. Recording her first double-digit kill total of the season, Kumanova finished the match with 11, registering four of the team's final six points to secure the second set.
 
Alexa Edwards once again led the team in kills, tallying 15 throughout the four-set contest. Edwards, recording 10 or more kills for the fifth-straight match, continues to lead the West Coast Conference in that category with 88.
 
Ramonni Cook, Emily Van Groningen, and Logan Blutreich contributed to the offensive efforts, as the trio combined 24 kills. Blutreich tallied five of her season-high eight kills in the fourth set, while Cook and Van Groningen added nine and seven, respectively.
 
The Flames came alive in the third set, taking control of the match and cruising to a 2-1 lead. Despite a hard-fought fourth set from the Tigers, the Flames took care of business and earned a highly contested three-point set win.
 
Jenna Heller recorded 47 of the team's 55 assists, tying her career-high set on September 10, 2021, at Sacramento State.

"We played hard but it comes down to execution and we were inconsistent, Head Coach Greg Gibbons stated. "Tomorrow is another opportunity for us to compete and grow together."
 
Pacific returns to action on Saturday, Sept. 4, as the Tigers compete on the final day of the Windy City Invitational, facing off against Eastern Illinois at noon.