Sept. 13, 2002

Final Stats

Champaign, Ill. - Behind the strong performance by junior Lisa Argabright, the Illini rolled past Arkansas State in front of 1,447 fans during first-round action of the State Farm Illini Classic. Illinois defeated Arkansas State in straight games in its home opener at Huff Hall by the score of 30-18, 30-21, 30-21. With the win, Illinois improves to 4-2 on the season, while ASU falls to 4-5.

The Illini went to the hot hand throughout the match, and that belonged to Argabright as she tallied a season-high 16 kills. But it was Argabright's efficiency and not her kill total that was the story of the match. The Louisville, Ky. Native had just one error in 19 swings on the evening, registering a career-high attack percentage of .789. Her previous career best hitting percentage was .750, set last season against Iowa. Argabright also chipped in with three aces and three blocks to go along with her impressive offensive numbers.

Illinois dominated ASU on the evening, holding the Lady Indians to negative hitting percentages in games one and two, and just .033 hitting for the match. The Illini hit .274 as a team, registering attack percentages of over .300 in games one and three.

The Illini served aggressively, which resulted in 12 aces compared to four aces by ASU. Sue Webber and Jessica Belter matched Argabright with three aces each. Webber had eight kills on the evening, while Belter recorded a career and match-high 10 digs.

Illinois will face Connecticut in the championship match of the State Farm Illini Classic at 8 p.m. Saturday. UConn advanced to the title-game after defeating Jacksonville State, 30-22, 30-28, 30-22, in the opening match of the Classic.