Oct. 8, 1999

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The University of Illinois volleyball team was more than ready to be back at Huff Hall, and the team took advantage of its opportunity, routing Big Ten rival Purdue in three straight games, 15-6, 15-7, 15-8, in front of 1,670 fans on Friday night.

Illinois controlled this match from start to finish, led by a well balanced attack. Four players recorded double-figures in kills, led by 12 each from senior outside hitter Sara Sorrell and junior middle blocker Betsy Spicer. Spicer was unstoppable all match long, as she recorded her 12 kills in only 14 attempts, good for a career high attack percentage of .857. Sophomores Shaddia Haddad and Lydia Gard added 11 and 10 kills respectively.

Although the offense was rolling, head coach Don Hardin credited the victory to strong defensive play. "I thought our blocking was excellent, as good as it's been all year," Hardin said. "It has really improved as the season's progressed. That was the key in this match, our blocking from the outside."

Gard and Sorrell led the team with four blocks each. And the defensive effort was especially needed on this night when both Illinois and Purdue had trouble serving consistently, with each team tallying 13 service errors a piece.

The Illini players kept their composure and played with poise despite the extra emotion that existed in the match from the start. This marked the return of new Purdue head coach and former Illini assistant Jeff Hulsmeyer to Champaign. Hulsmeyer had been with the Illini staff from 1996 through 1998.

"We just tried to keep focused on our side of the net and only worry about the things we could control," Sorrell said of going against Hulsmeyer. "We were able to block everything else out and concentrate on getting the win."

Illinois has now won 8 of its last 9 matches and improves to 4-1 in the Big Ten conference. The Illini are home again tomorrow to face Wisconsin at 7 pm.