Sept. 3, 1999

LONG BEACH, Calif. - The University of Illinois volleyball team, ranked 14th in the nation by the American Volleyball Coaches Association, dropped its first match of the season, 0-3 (5-15, 11-15, 5-15) to California-Santa Barbara, the nation's 11th ranked team, this afternoon on the campus of California State University-Long Beach. Illinois drops to 0-1 on the year.

Illinois dropped game one, 5-15, as the Gauchos outhit the Illini, .412-.000. Senior Tracey Marshall was one bright spot in the first game, as the Bolingbrook, Ill., native hit .571 (4-0-7). Illinois starters Melissa Beitz, Marshall, Dena Schorn, Sara Sorrell, Betsy Spicer and Annie Stoessel failed to generate any significant offense against the Gauchos.

Illinois came back to grab a quick lead in game two only to see it slowly taken away by the UCSB offense. The Gauchoes dominated game three and Illinois was unable to get any offensive production despite a strong nights from Shadia Haddad (11-5-29/.207) and Betsy Spicer (8-2-17/.353).

For the match, Illinois was outhit .084-.301 and outblocked 9-10. Sophomore Jutta Weissenborn (13-5-26/.308) paced the Gauchos.

Illinois, opening the 1999 season at the Long Beach State Tournament, is next in action Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. central time when the Illini are scheduled to take on North Carolina at the Pyramid in Long Beach. Illinois opens its 1999 home season this Wednesday against Illinois State at 7 p.m. at Huff Hall.

  Score by Games        1  2  3   Score
  -----------------    -- -- --   -----
  Illinois............  5 11  5  -  0
  Cal-Santa Barbara... 15 15 15  -  3