Sept. 23, 2000

Box Score

Minneapolis, Minn. - Minnesota, Minn.--The Fighting Illini couldn't gain the momentum against the No. 9 Golden Gophers, losing in three, 3-15, 9-15, 9-15. Illinois now stand at 9-4, 0-2 in the Big Ten. Minnesota improves to 12-0 and 2-0 in the Big Ten.

A huge blow to the Illini's offensive attack came early in game one when sophomore outside hitter Sue Webber hit the stand and injured her left knee. True-freshman Melissa Vandrey replaced Webber and made her first appearance as an Illini. Minnesota had an impressive attack percentage of .783 with no errors in the first game. The Gophers continued their successes in games two and three, committing only 6 attacking errors.

Vandrey led the Illini attackers with 13 kills in 27 attempts. Junior Shadia Haddad and senior Betsy Spicer had 11 and 10 kills, respectively. Heather Wilson and Betsy Eiserman once again split setter duties with Wilson having 25 assists and Eiserman eight.

"Melissa (Vandrey) played very well tonight," said head coach Don Hardin. "She has been injured herself and had her first full week of practices since the injury this week. She came out and showed what she can do.

The Illini will return to Champaign to host Big Ten rivals Michigan and Michigan State this weekend at Huff Hall.