Volleyball competes at Hawkeye Challenge

Sara Sternard was named to the Hawkeye Challenge All-Tournament Team after recording 27 kills in four matches. Photo: Steve Woltmann

The volleyball team split two matches at Iowa’s Hawkeye Challenge Friday but lost its two matches Saturday.

On Friday, the Flames (4-7) fell to Western Illinois, 3-0, in the morning and defeated Drake, 3-1, at night.

UIC dropped its final two matches at the tournament Saturday, falling to Ball State, 3-0, then Iowa, 3-1.

Ball State (4-0) took home the team title. Iowa (3-1), Western Illinois (1-3), Drake (1-3) and UIC (1-3) rounded out the tournament field.

For her play over the weekend, junior Sara Sternard was named to the Hawkeye Challenge All-Tournament Team.

Sternard recorded 27 kills, a team-high eight blocks and two service aces over four matches.

Other UIC standouts at the Hawkeye Challenge include freshman Kara Johnson (41 kills, six aces and seven blocks), junior Molly McCoy (33 kills), freshman Casey Harris (19 kills and six blocks), senior MaryKate Imrie (129 assists, 25 digs and six blocks), junior Maggie Strus (50 digs) and senior Justine Garcia (40 digs and six aces).

UIC stays on the road this weekend, competing in Kent State’s Golden Flashes Classic in Kent, Ohio. UIC takes on Eastern Illinois, Binghamton and Kent State over the two-day tournament.