Aug. 30, 2002

Final Stats

Gainesville, Fla. - Playing in its second match on the first day of the 2002 volleyball season, 19th-ranked Illinois improved to 2-0 after a three-game sweep of Alabama-Birmingham in the University Centre Hotel Invitational in Gainesville, Fla. The Illini defeated the Blazers by the score of 30-19, 30-25, 30-27.

The Illini showcased a balanced attack offensively, hitting an efficient .310 as a team for the match. Three UI players finished in double figures in kills, highlighted by a match-high 12 kills by senior right side hitter Sue Webber. Webber hit an impressive .429, collecting just three errors in 21 swings. Junior left side hitter Melissa Vandrey also registered an attack percentage of .429 with 11 kills and two errors in 21 swings. Junior middle blocker Lisa Argabright hit a team-high .600, tallying 11 kills and three blocks.

The Illini served aggressively for the second-straight match, finishing with 12 aces led by a career-high four aces from Vandrey. Illinois outblocked UAB 6-to-1 and outhit the Blazers .310-to-.171.

Senior Betsy Eiserman set the first two games for the Illini, collecting 25 assists, while sophomore Erin Virtue set the third and final game, adding 11 assists.

The Illini will face No. 7 Florida (2-0) in the championship match of the Invitational on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. Central Time.