Nov. 10, 2007

Box Score

Champaign, Ill. - Michigan and Illinois entered the week in a three-way tie for third place, so Saturday's match between the two schools was important for conference standing and NCAA consideration. The Wolverines rose to the occasion in a 30-19, 30-23, 30-28 win at Huff Hall. Illinois moves to 15-11 overall, 7-9 in the Big Ten. Michigan improves to 20-8, 8-8 in the league.

Illinois middle blocker Vicki Brown had 11 kills and hit .400, but it was not enough. Freshman outside hitter Laura DeBruler added 13 kills and sophomore Kylie McCulley added 10 kills for the Illini.

"We were not ready to compete tonight," said Illinois head coach Don Hardin. "Despite good sets, we had multiple hitting errors. Michigan is just too good of a team to give them those opportunities."

Michigan dominated the opening game, forcing 11 Illinois hitting errors and jumping to leads to 14-7 and 22-14.

Illinois was more competitive in the second and third games, but still came up short in them. Setter Hillary Haen and Brown connected three times on the back slide in the game. Illinois led 7-3 and the game was tied at 16, but Michigan scored four straight points to take the lead for good. Illinois had its best game offensively, hitting .286, but the right side attack for Michigan was particularly potent as the Wolverines hit .390.

The third game was close throughout and had 19 ties. Brown hit .667 with four kills in the third game and DeBruler and McCulley each added four kills in the game. Illinois again took an early lead at 7-4, but Michigan came back to tie it a 9-9 and most of the rest of the game, the teams traded side outs. Michigan broke open a 27-27 tie by scoring three of the final four points of the match.

Ashley Edinger had 22 digs to move to within 13 of 1,000 for her career and Haen had a double-double with 32 assists and 15 digs. Michigan out-blocked Illinois 5-4. Johannah Bangert had three block assists for the Illini.

Michigan All-Big Ten performer Katie Brudzinski had 18 kills and hit a match-high .425. Beth Karpiak (.318) and Megan Bower (.389) each added 10 kills apiece for the Wolverines.

"We were able to recover somewhat in games two and three, but there just wasn't enough leadership to get us over the top," Hardin added. "Nicole Kump came in and gave us lift with the block."

Illinois travels to Ohio State and Penn State next weekend before returning home to host Minnesota and Iowa during Thanksgiving weekend.