University of Illinois
Alumni Match
Newcomers help Illini to Sweep of Alumni
August 21, 2010 | Volleyball
Aug. 21, 2010
Box Score
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - One of the reasons Illinois is ranked No. 6 is because the Illini return such a veteran team. However, if the Illini are to make a trip deep into the post-season, it is evident there will be several newcomers who play a big role. On Saturday, a pair of those newcomers, junior Colleen Ward and freshman Jazmine Orozco led Illinois with nine kills in a 25-21, 25-14, 25-15 victory over the Alumni.
Freshmen also led the team in digs and blocks. Jennifer Bonilla, who takes over as the starting libero, paced the team with 12 digs, while middle blocker Anna Dorn had four blocks. The Illini used both senior Hillary Haen and sophomore Annie Luhrsen at setter with the duo tallying 20 and 12 assists, respectively.
"I think the fans saw we have some talent and some players who can score," said head coach Kevin Hambly afterward. "We had three kids hit over .300 against a pretty good group over there. I like all the pieces our team has. We have a lot of players who can do a lot of things for us and that is exciting."
Illinois used all 17 players and worked on many combinations that the team may use in situations where they'll need one point down the stretch.
Ward was particularly impressive, hitting .421 with those nine kills and eight digs. The Naperville, Ill., native and transfer from the University of Florida had the alumni on their heels with her serve, contributing five aces and forcing the Alumni to take a time out in the third set.
"We're working on getting used to playing with each other," Ward said. "I think we made progress in finding our rhythm as a team tonight."
"We have made a conscious effort to get them connected," said Hambly of the newcomers. "Through two weeks it's obvious they are helping make us better."
Melissa Vandrey led the Alumni with seven kills, while Meghan Macdonald added five kills and hit .500. Rasa Virsilaite led the Alumni with nine digs. Lizzie Bazzetta was the primary setter for the Alumni, posting 25 assists and serving one of two aces (the other by Patricia Albee Beam). Bazzetta also served up three points as the Alumni closed a 24-18 deficit to 24-21 in a competitive first set.
"I think it was probably the best Alumni Match I've played in," said senior middle blocker Johannah Bangert, who was in on three of the Illini's nine blocks and hit .500. "They had a lot of recent graduates, so they had some really good hitters."
First team All-American Laura DeBruler had some impressive plays, especially out of the back row, swinging for eight kills while hitting .316 on the night.
"It was nice to get out and play someone else besides ourselves," Hambly said in summing up the night. "It was fun to play in front of a crowd and see how we are going to respond with being in Huff and putting on the jersey for the first time. The most fun for me is seeing all the other players on the other side of the net. I coached about 80 percent of them, so it was hard for me not to cheer for them. Illini volleyball is a tight-knit family."
Illinois opens the season on Friday, Aug. 27 in the first round of the State Farm Illini Classic, taking on BYU at 7 pm in the annual Stuff Huff match.
