Sept. 2, 2000

Box Score

Tallahassee, FL - The Illinois volleyball team improved its record to 3-0 after defeating Florida Atlantic this afternoon in four games by the score of 15-8, 13-15, 15-6, 15-5 at the Florida State Tournament. The Illini rode the wave of strong play from its outside hitters, junior Shadia Haddad and sophomore Sue Webber, who led the team to victory.

"That was as strong of play as we've had from our outside players in probably two or three years," said Head Coach Don Hardin. "They were really pounding the ball and overpowered Florida Atlantic at the net."

Haddad recorded her first double-double of the season, registering 24 kills to go along with 14 digs. Haddad hit an impressive .367 for the match (6 errors in 49 total attempts). Webber was another valuable weapon, tallying 20 kills and coming just one dig shy (9) from also netting a double-double. Junior Lydia Gard controlled the middle with 7 kills and 9 blocks.

Meanwhile, Hardin altered the lineup at setter for the first time. Senior Heather Wilson, who played the first two matches at setter, started against Florida Atlantic but was replaced midway through the second game by sophomore Betsy Eiserman. Eiserman, playing in her first career match, gave the Illini offense a spark and registered 37 assists.

Illinois, unbeaten in the FSU tournament, takes on the host Lady Seminoles tonight at 6 p.m. central time in the tournament finale. Florida State is also unbeaten in the five-team, round-robin tournament, making tonight's Illinois-FSU match-up a battle for the championship.