Aug. 31, 2001

Stats

Fairfax, Va. - Illinois opened up the 2001 volleyball season today in Fairfax, Va. at the George Mason Patriot Invitational Tournament. The first match went well for Coach Don Hardin's group, as the Illini defeated Georgetown three games to two by the score of 30-27, 30-18, 25-30, 26-30, 15-8.

The Illini won the first two games, but Georgetown fought back to win games three and four, forcing the fifth and deciding game. Illinois got an early lead in game five and never looked back en route to clinching the match.

Illinois received impressive play from its duo of middle blockers, senior Lydia Gard and sophomore Lisa Argabright. Gard hit a match and career-high .611 in the contest, tallying 11 kills and no errors in 18 swings. Gard also tied her career high in blocks with a match-high 10. Argabright was just as effective on offense and defense, registering 15 kills and hitting .522 to go along with six blocks.

Also factoring into the Illini attack was senior Shadia Haddad's team-high 16 kills, and freshman Lauren Harks with 13 kills. The Illini outhit Georgetown .288-to-.178 for the match and overpowered the Hoyas on the net to the tune of an 18-to-9 team blocking advantage.

Junior Betsy Eiserman started at setter and played the first two games. Freshman Erin Virtue entered the match and set the entirety of game three, while Eiserman returned to set games four and five.

Illinois, now 1-0 on the young season, takes on the host George Mason tonight at 6 p.m. central time. The tournament concludes on Saturday, with the Illini playing George Washington at 10 a.m. and William & Mary at 4 p.m.