Nov. 7, 2007

Final Stats

Madison, Wis. - Despite being down 2-0 to No. 11 Wisconsin in Madison, Illinois knew it could extend the match to the brink. The Illini have shown the ability to battle back from tough odds all season. But with Illinois up 28-26 in a competitive third game, the Badgers (21-3, 13-2) rallied to win that game 30-28 and the match in three games, 30-14, 30-23, 30-28. The victory snapped Illinois' six-match road winning streak, its longest since 1992.

Wisconsin took control of the match from the get go in handing Illinois its worst individual game loss of the season in the opener and eventually the Illinois' first three-game loss of the 2007 campaign. The Badgers had just about everything going offensively in that first game, hitting .600 while amassing four of its eight match aces. The Illini, meanwhile, needed a pair of kills from freshman Laura DeBruler to manage to hit in the positive numbers.

DeBruler had 13 kills on the night, moving her to within two of 500 for the season, but the Badgers held Illinois' heralded freshmen to her lowest number since Sept. 1.

Right side hitter Stefanie Alde gave Illinois a spark in the second game. Five kills and a block from the senior kept the Illini competitive, but Wisconsin still managed to hit .326 and pull away in the end. The Illini had a 4-1 lead in the game, but saw the Badgers score seven straight to take lead for good. Senior middle blocker Vicki Brown had five her 12 kills in the second game.

The third game was a different story for Illinois. The Badgers, known for being a strong sideout team, saw the Illini play point for point until taking a 25-24 lead on a block from freshman Johannah Bangert. DeBruler followed with a kill through the Wisconsin block as the Illini led 26-24. Illinois sided out successfully until 28-26, when Wisconsin scored the final four points of the game.

Illinois actually out-hit Wisconsin .250-.243 in the game, but the Badgers wound up hitting .362 paced by 13 kills and a .600 attack percentage from veteran Taylor Reineke and 11 kills and a .556 average from Caity Dupont.

Bangert and Alde followed DeBruler and Brown's effort for Illinois with eight and seven kills, respectively. Wisconsin was tough on serve out acing Illinois 8-1 while out-blocking the Illini 11-5.

"This is the first time all season we didn't come out as mentally prepared as we normally do," said Illinois head coach Don Hardin. "Wisconsin is deserving of their national ranking and took advantage of that. We were able to compete in the third game, but it wasn't quite enough."

Illinois is now 15-10 overall, 7-8 in the Big Ten, falling out of a third-place tie momentarily with Michigan and Purdue. The Illini play a crucial match at home with the Wolverines Saturday at 7 p.m. Hardin will be going for win no. 400.