Nov. 6, 2004
Champaign, Ill. -
Illinois spotted Northwestern a one-game lead, then rebounded for a 23-30, 30-23, 30-27, 30-27 victory over the visiting Wildcats in front of a crowd of 2,260 at Huff Hall. The match will be aired on Sunday at 3 p.m. CST on espn2. The 25th-ranked Fighting Illini move to 17-6 overall and 9-5 in the Big Ten. Northwestern falls to 8-16, 3-11 in the league.
"On paper we were expected to blow this Northwestern team away," said Illinois Head Coach Don Hardin. "That's a new position for this team to experience. They're not used to being in that position. Yet against a very feisty Northwestern team, we were able to regroup and do some nice things."
Rachel VanMeter had 20 kills and tied for the team-lead in attacks with 45 to pace the balanced offensive attack. Outside hitter Jessica Belter led Illinois in hitting percentage at .407 with 15 kills and just four errors in 27 swings. Rasa Virsilaite was also in double figures with 17 kills. Freshman Stephanie Obermeier mixed the offense around a lot and finished with 53 assists.
Illinois allowed the Wildcats to hit .500 in the first game, but just .117 the rest of the way and just .000 in the fourth and final game. The Illini played their best volleyball in game two where they hit .410. Illinois led its opponent in blocking for the second straight night 9-7, paced by five block assists for middle blocker Jen Hynds.
Kathleen Bazzetta keyed a solid back row play with a career-high 19 digs, one of three Illini double figures. Lauren Harks and Virsilaite each had 10. For Virsilaite that gives her seven double-doubles for the year. Illinois, the Big Ten leader in service aces, added to the tally with by leading in that department 7-4 tonight.
"Kathleen Bazzetta had an incredible effort," Hardin said. "She was amazing. Her serving, passing and defense were remarkable today. I though she also showed amazing leadership."
Illinois came into the night 11th in the nation in attendance and the weekend didn't hurt things with a pair of good crowds, bringing the season average to over 1,800.
"Having over 2,000 fans on both nights this weekend was gigantic," Hardin said. "That no doubt was a big factor in being able to take two matches."
Illinois plays the next four matches on the road before ending the season at Huff Hall against Minnesota and Iowa on Thanksgiving weekend.
