Sept. 2, 2006
Milwaukee, Wisc. -
The Fighting Illini women's volleyball team continued its perfect start to the 2006 season with a three-game victory over the Marquette Golden Eagles Saturday night at the Marquette Kickoff Tournament by a score of 32-30, 30-24, 30-27.
Leading the way for the Orange and Blue was junior outside hitter Vicki Brown, who posted 15 kills with only three attacking errors for a percentage of .522. Sophomore outside hitter Kayani Turner followed close behind with 14 kills.
"Getting the lead and getting comfortable was important," said Hardin. "Hats off to Marquette, they had great blocking early on and played a tough match. It was the first time we were beat at the serve this season."
Senior defensive specialist Beth Vrdsky moved up on Illinois' all-time digs list to the number eight spot as she posted six digs for a career total of 967.
Game one saw the Illini go back and forth with the Eagles all the way to the very end. Brown produced four kills and two blocks to help the Orange and Blue maintain a slim lead late into the game. Marquette would fight back however, tying the game at 29-29 and 30-30. The Eagles looked like they had Illinois' number, but Turner and senior outside hitter Meghan Macdonald were to much for the Eagles as Turner produced a kill for Illinois' 31st point and then posted a quick block with Macdonald to win the game by a score of 32-30.
Illinois took another slim lead in game two until Marquette took over at 10-11. A strong front from Brown, Turner, Macdonald and junior Amy Palash helped hold the Eagles down, allowing the Orange and Blue to go up 22-17. Marquette continued to fight back, tying the game at 22-22, but after a timeout by Coach Hardin the Illini regrouped to take the game 30-24.
The Golden Eagles were just as tough in game three. Every time the Illini pushed forward, Marquette found the answer to stay in the game. Freshman outside hitter Kylie McCulley made her mark with three kills in the game, helping the Illini put away the Eagles by a score of 30-27.
The Illini close out the Marquette Kickoff Classic with a match against the Loyola Ramblers Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m.
Coach Hardin understands that Illinois must be ready to come to play when they take to the floor of the Al McGuire Center tomorrow morning.
"Loyola is a big rival for us," said Hardin. "They think they got our number, and we like to compete against them. We're going to have to serve the ball better than we did today, and at the same time not serve any easy balls to them."
