Oct. 29, 2005

Champaign, Ill. - For the second night in a row Huff Hall was electric. The Illini responded with a 24-30, 30-15, 30-24, 30-24 victory over Michigan to sweep the home Big Ten weekend. With the victory Illinois (13-10, 4-8) moves into a tie for sixth in the Big Ten conference with the Wolverines (10-11, 4-8) and Iowa.

The story of the night was the turnaround of fortune. Just three weeks earlier, Michigan dominated Illinois with a three-game victory in which the Wolverines hit .400, their best performance in Big Ten play. On Saturday, a steady block slowed down the Michigan attack, limited outside hitter Katie Brudzinski to just 13 kills and the Wolverines to just a .168 percentage.

Illinois showed some resilience again on Saturday. The Illini stormed in front 15-11 only to have Michigan come roaring back to take the first game 30-24. Earlier in the year that may have rattled the Illini, but it didn't on this night.

"It wasn't anything that I said," said Illinois Head Coach Don Hardin. "They came out that second game with a determined attitude and backed it up with their play."

The rest of the night belonged to Illinois and the reversal of fortune could not have been more dramatic. The Illini built an 11-3 lead in game two, which started with three straight blocks. Junior middle blocker Meghan Macdonald was in on all three blocks, the first on the solo variety. For the second night in a row, Illinois had 15 blocks, led by Vicki Brown, who had two solo blocks and six block assists. Macdonald added five assists along with her solo block

Michigan hit -.026 in game two after belting for .353 in the opening game. The Illini had a whopping eight blocks in game two. Along with the block, Illinois has made tremendous strides in serve receive, allowing just four aces by Michigan, while the Illini converted eight.

"They didn't have one person that we couldn't handle tonight," Hardin said. "The reversal of fortune with our block and our defense shows how much progress we have made."

Although not quite as dominating, Illinois controlled games three and four as well, hitting .314 in game three and .220 in game four. Hardin has been able to work sophomore Stephanie Obermeier into the line-up at the same time as freshman setter Lizzie Bazzetta. Obermeier had 15 assists, second on the team to libero Beth Vrdsky's 17. Bazzetta had a solid overall match with three kills in seven attempts (.429 pct.), six digs and 43 assists.

Hardin noted that the crowd was a big factor in both wins. "You always hear how some fans can be fickle, but our fans showed how loyal they are and showed some incredible support," Hardin said.

Illinois tries to keep the streak going next weekend with matches at Wisconsin and Northwestern.