Oct. 1, 2005

Final Stats

Champaign, Ill. - Eighth-ranked Wisconsin remained unbeaten in the Big Ten with a 30-15, 30-22, 30-21 victory over Illinois Saturday night at Huff Hall. The Badgers improve to 12-1 overall. The Illini fall to 10-5 overall, 1-3 in the conference.

After Wisconsin controlled most of games one and two, Illinois showed some spark in the third game, jumping to a 16-12 lead and forcing the Badgers to a time-out. Meghan Macdonald had three kills in the early stages of the game as the game remained tight throughout.

After the timeout, Wisconsin responded by out-scoring the Illini 18-5 the rest of the game to close out the match.

On a positive note for Illinois, the Illini tied Wisconsin, the top blocking team in the Big Ten with eight blocks apiece. Vicki Brown and Meghan Macdonald paced the Illini in the department. Brown had four block assists and Macdonald a solo block and three block assists.

"They're one of the best blocking teams in the country, and I think we played well in that department," said Illinois Head Coach Don Hardin.

The Badgers held Illinois to a season low .023 hitting percentage, while hitting .283 themselves. Wisconsin had just 14 hitting errors, eight on Illinois blocks. Sheila Shaw and Maria Carlini had 11 kills apiece for Wisconsin.

Rachel VanMeter led Illinois with 10 kills while Macdonald added nine. Beth Vrdsky led Illinois with 17 digs while Stephanie Obermeier had 27 assists.

"(With our adversity), we still have to put a line-up together, but playing within our system, we played right with a top ten team," Hardin added.

Illinois returns to action next week with matches at Michigan State and Michigan.