EVANSVILLE, Ind. – There is a new all-time kills leader in University of Evansville volleyball history – Giulia Cardona. With 21 kills on Saturday against UIC, Cardona now has 1,916 in her career. She passed Alondra Vazquez' mark of 1,911.
Box Score
Cardona's tally led all players as the Purple Aces dropped a 3-1 contest to UIC. She also led the team with nine digs while Ainoah Cruz finished with eight. Lexi Owen finished with 27 assists, seven digs and three aces. UIC was led by Zahria Woodard's 13 kills.
Set 1 – UIC 25, UE 16
From the outset, the Flames had the momentum, scoring the first five points of the night and would extend their lead to 11-4. A kill from Giulia Cardona helped the Aces rally to make it a 19-14 game, but UIC proved to be too much as they took the set and a 1-0 lead.
Set 2 – UE 25, UIC 19
Following a quick 2-0 start by the Flames, Evansville came back to tie it at 4-4 on a Jenna Heidbreder kill. UIC wrestled away an 10-8 lead before Evansville countered with five in a row to go up 13-10. Cardona had two more kills while Blakeley Freeman added an ace.
Madisyn Steele and Angelica Gonzalez assisted on a block while Lexi Owen registered an ace to extend the lead to 20-15. The Flames did their best to rally, but a solo block by Chloe Cline was followed by Cardona's 13
th kill of the night to seal the set and tie the match.
Set 3 – UIC 25, UE 10
Lexi Owen opened the third with an ace, but the Flames quickly assumed control as they reeled off the next eight points. Following a kill by Gonzalez, UIC continued to add to their lead before cruising to a 25-10 win.
Set 4 – UIC 25, UE 17
Another quick start saw UIC open a 3-0 lead. Another ace from Freeman highlighted a 3-0 stretch that tied the set. The Flames answered each time and made their move in the middle stages. Hanging on to a 13-11 edge, UIC scored the next three before completing the game on a 12-6 margin to win the match.
MVC road play opens next weekend when the Aces travel to Belmont and Murray State.
