CHICAGO — The Oakland University volleyball team dropped a five-set decision to UIC (25-23, 21-25, 16-25, 25-14, 7-15) Tuesday night inside the Flames Athletic Center. The Golden Grizzlies fell to 5-5 in Horizon League play with the loss, while the Flames improved to 9-1 overall. 

Brittany Welch led the OU attack with a match-high 14 kills. The redshirt sophomore added eight digs and five blocks on the day. Patti Cesarini and Jamie Walling contributed offensively with 11 kills apiece. AnnaBelle Tomei and Madison Ross paced the Golden Grizzly setters with assist totals of 21 and 19, respectively. 

Defensively, Lindsay Wightman notched a team-best 22 digs. Tomei earned her team-leading fifth double-double of the season, as she finished with 17 digs. Ross totaled 14 digs to reach a double-double as well.

As a team, OU had a season-high 14.0 blocks. Kerra Cornist led the middle with a career-high nine blocks. Jessica Riedl was second on the team with six blocks. In total, four different Golden Grizzlies recorded three or more blocks. 

Oakland got off to a strong start, as they took the first set from the Flames, 25-23. The Golden Grizzlies featured a stifling defense with six blocks while limiting the UIC attack to a .128 hitting clip. 

The Flames took control with consecutive set wins, which made it a 2-1 advantage for the home squad. OU responded with a commanding 25-14 victory in the fourth set. Cesarini led the fourth-set charge with four kills. Cornist and Riedl paced the middle in the set win with four block assists each. 

UIC spoiled the comeback with a match-deciding 15-7 win in the fifth set. 

The Golden Grizzlies are back in action next Monday (March 8) for a two-match series versus Purdue Fort Wayne. First serve is set for 5 p.m.