Patrick delivers 16 kills, Ivkovic records a career-high seven blocks and Auburn dominates the second set to secure a straight-set road victory.
Auburn opened its Chicago road swing Friday night with a straight-set victory over UIC, combining a balanced offensive attack with dominant play at the net to build momentum heading into the DePaul Invitational.
Belle Patrick led Auburn with 16 kills while hitting .406, and junior outside hitter Anastasija Ivkovic delivered a career performance with seven blocks to go along with eight kills.
Auburn also received eight kills and six blocks from middle blocker Havlicek as the Tigers turned an early battle into a three-set sweep.
“I’m happy to start the weekend with a win and continue the momentum on the road,” Auburn coach Brent Crouch said. “I would’ve liked to see a more consistent effort throughout the match, but I am happy with the way we responded in the second set.”
That response proved decisive.
Auburn Survives Dramatic Opening Set
The Tigers appeared ready to seize immediate control after opening the match with six consecutive points.
UIC had other plans.
The Flames erased the early deficit, tied the score at 11 and carried a 15-13 advantage into the media timeout. Auburn responded, but neither team could create separation as the score eventually reached 21-all.
UIC then moved ahead 23-21 and later reached set point, putting Auburn in danger of surrendering a frame it had once led 6-0.
Symone Sims changed the trajectory with a critical dig that kept the Tigers alive.
Patrick did the rest.
The Auburn attacker converted a kill following Sims’ defensive play and then delivered two more kills to help the Tigers complete the comeback and steal the opening set.
Patrick was nearly unstoppable in the frame, finishing with nine kills.
It was the type of escape that can change an entire match.
For Auburn, it did.
Tigers Overwhelm UIC in Second Set
UIC again started quickly in the second, taking a 5-3 advantage before Auburn unleashed its most dominant stretch of the night.
Patrick helped ignite a six-point run with two kills and two service aces.
Then the Tigers kept coming.
Auburn produced a 12-3 run to build a commanding 21-10 advantage before closing the set with another 4-1 surge for a 25-13 victory.
The Tigers were disruptive from virtually everywhere.
Kate Mansfield recorded four blocks in the second set and added two kills, while Auburn fired four service aces.
After the back-and-forth drama of the opening frame, Auburn had suddenly imposed its style of play on the match.
The Tigers were one set from a sweep.
Auburn’s Blocking Takes Over Late
UIC refused to disappear.
The Flames took a 7-4 lead in the third and extended the advantage to 10-7 before Auburn answered with five consecutive points to move in front.
From there, the teams exchanged points in another tight battle.
Neither side led by more than one until Auburn finally created separation at 21-18 behind consecutive blocks from Havlicek and Ivkovic.
Patrick's 16th kill put Auburn at match point.
A UIC attack error finished the job, sending the Tigers into the rest of their Chicago trip with a straight-set victory.
The closing sequence was fitting considering how important Auburn’s blocking had been throughout the night.
Ivkovic Delivers Career Night at the Net
Ivkovic provided one of the match’s biggest individual performances.
A career-high 7️⃣ blocks for Anastasija! 🤩#WarEagle pic.twitter.com/RzqqlpSDrg
— Auburn Volleyball (@AuburnVB) September 12, 2026
The junior recorded a career-high and match-leading seven blocks while producing eight kills on 19 attempts with only one error. She finished with a .368 hitting percentage.
Patrick supplied Auburn’s biggest offensive numbers.
Havlicek provided another highly efficient performance.
The junior middle blocker began the match by converting each of her first seven attacks and tied her career high with eight kills. She also collected six blocks and a team-high three aces.
Mansfield added five blocks, tying her season high, while contributing four kills.
Greer Chambless reached a personal milestone with the first solo block of her Auburn career.
Collectively, the numbers illustrated how Auburn was able to take command: the Tigers generated pressure both offensively and defensively at the net.
Auburn Gets Production Throughout Lineup
The Tigers’ front-row production was complemented by solid performances from their setters and back-row defense.
Eickenloff led Auburn with 24 assists, helping distribute the offense among Patrick, Ivkovic, Havlicek and Mansfield.
Keiran returned to the starting libero position and immediately made an impact, finishing with a team-high 13 digs.
That balance allowed Auburn to survive UIC’s strongest stretches without losing control of the match.
It also gave Crouch several encouraging performances to evaluate before the Tigers return to the court.
Auburn coach made clear that the straight-set result did not mean the performance was flawless.
“We’ve got some adjustments to make ahead of the rest of the trip,” Crouch said.
Tigers Carry Momentum Into DePaul Invitational
Auburn will not have much time to celebrate.
The Tigers continue their Chicago swing Saturday at the DePaul Invitational, where they are scheduled to face Central Michigan at noon.
Auburn then takes on tournament host DePaul at 2 p.m. Sunday.
Friday’s victory provides an ideal starting point.
Patrick supplied the finishing power. Ivkovic delivered a career night defensively. Havlicek contributed at the net and from the service line. Mansfield helped make Auburn’s block a persistent problem for UIC.
Most importantly, the Tigers demonstrated an ability to respond.
They rallied after facing set point in the opener, dominated the second set and overcame another UIC advantage in the third.
Crouch wants more consistency as the weekend continues.
But Auburn already has the first thing it came to Chicago looking for — a win.
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-- By Andréa Mochida
© Copyright 2026 JWT Communications. All rights reserved. This article cannot be republished, rebroadcast, rewritten, or distributed in any form without written permission.
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