Aug. 26, 2005

Final Stats

Normal, Ill. - Rachel VanMeter had one of the best offensive nights in Illinois history. The senior Pre-Season All-Big Ten selection had an incredible 39 kills, shattering a Redbird Arena record by seven, and leading the visiting Fighting Illini to a 30-24, 30-19, 23-30, 21-30, 15-11 victory over Illinois State in front of crowd of 3,259, which included several sections of orange-clad Illinois fans. VanMeter's 39 kills were also the third most in a match in Illini history. Erin Borske's 44 kills are the all-time Illinois record.

"We rode the arm of Rachel VanMeter for much of the night," said Illinois coach Don Hardin. "Her performance was not only the result of her talent, but also represented a lot of hard work on her part."

Illinois, who alternated between a sophomore (Stephanie Obermeier) and a freshman (Lizzie Bazzetta) at the setter position, looked like they might win in three straight games. Illinois hit .464 in the second as Illinois controlled the game 30-19.

Rasa Virsilaite, who had just been cleared to hit this week, was the only other Illinois player in double figures in kills with 11 and added 17 digs. Illinois cooled off in games three and four, hitting just .100 and .103, respectively, in dropping games three and four, but hit a solid .368 in the fifth and deciding game.

Stephanie Obermeier played three games, including the fifth and finished the match with 36 assists, while Bazzetta played two games and finished with 29. Beth Vrdsky finished with a match-high 20 digs. The Illini had a total of seven team blocks led by Vicki Brown's two solo blocks and four block assists. Freshman Jana Wojcik had impressive Illini debut with 10 digs and a pair of service aces.

VanMeter had seven kills as Illinois took the first game. Illinois took a commanding 16-9 lead on five straight points off the serve of Virsilaite. The Redbirds got as close as 21-19, but the Illini pulled away on the swings of VanMeter and Brown.

The second game was competitive. Illinois State led 13-12, but the Illini out-scored the Redbirds 18-6 the rest of the way. VanMeter had 11 kills in 14 swings in that game.

Illinois State showed some fire coming out of the intermission, jumping to a 16-9 lead in game three and increased that advantage to 20-11. Illinois had just one lead in the fourth game.

"I thought we had a great opportunity heading into the fifth game," Hardin said. "Illinois State is one of the few environments that replicates what we will see in the Big Ten. This was a chance for us to respond in a pressure situation and against a good opportunity in a tough setting."

The Illini did respond by never trailing in the deciding game. Two kills from VanMeter, one from Macdonald, and three ISU attack errors gave Illinois a 6-2 advantage. Fittingly, VanMeter split the Redbird block for a kill for the game-ender.

"We have really prepared over the past few weeks with several hours of practice and lifting each day," VanMeter said. "I really have to credit our training for the stamina we had tonight."

Illinois is now 8-2 in openers under Don Hardin and has now won 12 out of 13 vs. the Redbirds since 1985.