By: Andrew Gavin (@GBGavin)

GREEN BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) – Green Bay (2-11, 0-2 HL) had a set point in all three sets on Saturday afternoon, but the host Phoenix could not close as visiting UIC (7-10, 1-1 HL) claimed a 3-0 (28-26, 28-26, 26-24) victory in Horizon League volleyball action at the Kress Center.

In the opening set, Green Bay opened up a 16-10 lead before the Flames closed quickly late in the frame. Still, Green Bay had four set points, including at 26-25 after a kill from sophomore Megan Powers (Glendale, Ariz.). The Flames won 28-26 after claiming the final three points. The Phoenix hit .300 in the opening set, with junior Taylor Kasal (Westmont, Ill.) tallying six.

Green Bay pulled away midway through set two to lead 16-12 before the Flames again closed the gap. The Flames had two set points before the secured one at 26-25, again on a Powers' kill. However, UIC scored the final three points of the set to take a 2-0 lead. The Phoenix recorded 17 kills in the set, with junior setter Emily Riese (Fond du Lac, Wis.) tallying five kills to go with 10 assists.

With freshman Taylor Totka (Racine, Wis.) making her presence felt with four kills and three blocks and sophomore Shannon Hurley (Connellsville, Pa.) adding four kills, the Phoenix took control late and had a 24-20 lead in the third set. However, UIC again rallied, this time scoring six points in a row to finish the sweep.

For the match, Kasal led the Phoenix with 14 kills for the second-straight match and added nine digs and three blocks. Four other players tallied at least five kills, and Green Bay also featured a balanced blocking attack with Totka, Powers and freshman Abby Jeffcoat (Racine, Wis.) each recording four.

Riese added 29 assists and junior Jillian Bauer (Verona, Wis.) totaled 13 digs and three service aces to lead the team in both categories.

Green Bay will travel south on Friday, playing at Horizon League preseason favorite Milwaukee at 7 p.m.

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