Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Bradley University Athletics

Share:

Braves Conclude First Homestand against UIC and Valparaiso

Bradley Volleyball Preview vs. UIC and Valparaiso
Share:
Ben Kinealy Volleyball 10/2/2025 9:00:00 AM

Peoria, IL – Bradley Volleyball will conclude their three-game homestand this weekend, hosting the UIC Flames on Friday at 6 p.m. and the Valparaiso Beacons on Saturday at 5 p.m. in Bradley's annual Pink-Out Game to raise awareness for breast cancer research. 

Game Information

Bradley vs. UIC
Date & Time:
Friday, October 3, 2025 – 6:00 p.m. CT
Location: Peoria, IL

Bradley vs. Valparaiso
Date & Time:
Saturday, October 4, 2025 – 5:00 p.m. CT
Location: Peoria, IL

Matchup History

UIC: The Flames split their conference openers, losing in four sets against UNI before bouncing back with a five-set win over Drake. Julieta Sandez has been extremely efficient, leading both the MVC and the nation with a .514 hitting percentage, recording 104 kills, the second most on the team, while committing only 11 errors. The Flames and Braves have faced off 33 times, with UIC holding the 22-11 advantage over Bradley. The last time these two teams met was on October 26, 2024, when UIC swept Bradley in three sets.

Valparaiso: The Beacons started their conference season with a four-set win over Drake before dropping their second match to UNI in four sets. Valparaiso has been strong defensively as Emma Hickey leads the Valley and is sixth in the nation in digs with 295, while Jessica Pickett and Lilly Merk are third and fourth in the Valley in blocks with 56 and 53, respectively. The Braves and Beacons have faced off 30 times, and Valparaiso has won 18 of those matchups. The most recent meeting between the two teams took place on October 25, 2024, when the Beacons defeated the Braves in four sets.

Bradley Notes

The Braves are off to a strong start in conference play, beginning 2-0 for the second consecutive season after defeating Evansville and Illinois State last week. Maria Drapp still leads the MVC and jumped up to 21st in the nation in assists after totaling 74 assists last week to increase her season total to 501. Irene Mostardini leads the conference in service aces with 26, including five from last week's matches, and she is fifth in the Valley in digs with 223. Tendai Titley has been solid on both sides of the ball, leading the Braves in blocks with 30 while also ranking second in kills with 143.

This weekend will be a tough test for the Braves as both UIC and Valparaiso have shown themselves to be solid competitors. Next weekend, Bradley will travel to Des Moines, IA, to face Drake on Friday at 6 p.m. before heading to Cedar Rapids, IA, to take on UNI.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Maria Drapp

#12 Maria Drapp

S
5' 10"
Sophomore
Irene Mostardini

#8 Irene Mostardini

L
5' 5"
Senior
Tendai Titley

#10 Tendai Titley

OH
5' 10"
Redshirt Freshman

Players Mentioned

Maria Drapp

#12 Maria Drapp

5' 10"
Sophomore
S
Irene Mostardini

#8 Irene Mostardini

5' 5"
Senior
L
Tendai Titley

#10 Tendai Titley

5' 10"
Redshirt Freshman
OH