Nov. 10, 1999

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The University of Illinois volleyball team snapped a four-match losing streak as it defeated Indiana, three games to two, this evening on the campus of Indiana University. In the win, senior setter Melissa Beitz set the Illinois career assist record. Needing 44 assists to tie Disa Johnson's career mark of 5,550, Beitz used the five games to spread out a season-high 66 assists while leading Illinois to the 9-15, 15-11, 3-15, 15-10, 15-13 win. With the win Illinois improves to 13-8 on the year and 9-6 in the Big Ten while Indiana drops to 15-9 overall and 6-9 in conference play.

Senior Sara Sorrell led the Illini offensive attack with 19 kills in 37 swings for a .324 attack percentage. Other Illini in double digit kills included Betsy Spicer (16), Lydia Gard (12), Shadia Haddad (11) and Sue Webber (10). Webber, a freshman, saw her first significant playing time of the season, earning starts in games four and five and responded by hitting .250 (10-4-24) while collecting six digs and one block assist.

Defensively, Beitz collected a team-high 15 digs. Illinois outblocked Indiana 15-14.5 but was outhit (.212-.174) and out dug (76-73) by the Hoosiers, who were led by senior Ryann Connors' 20 kills.

Illinois returns to action Saturday evening at home against Northwestern. Action is slated to begin at 7 p.m. in Huff Hall.