Sept. 19, 2009

Box Score

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The No. 14 Illinois (8-1) volleyball team wrapped up its non-conference schedule with a sweep of Ohio University (8-4) at the Active Ankle Challenge, extending its winning streak to six with set scores of 27-25, 25-15 and 25-20. Sophomore Michelle Bartsch was on fire for the Illini, hitting a blistering .812 with a team-high 13 kills and no errors, while junior Laura DeBruler netted 12 kills and a match-high 15 digs on Saturday afternoon.

"At times, we played the best volleyball we have all year," head coach Kevin Hambly said. "We got a lot of great individual performances this weekend, but we are really becoming a well-rounded team as everyone learns her role. Michelle Bartsch was ridiculous today and had astronomical numbers for an outside hitter."

The first set came down to the wire, but the Illini rallied to win in extra time. Illinois took a 24-22 lead late in the frame, but fell behind 25-24 after three straight kills from the Bobcats. After a Bobcat error knotted up the affair at 25, DeBruler gave the Orange and Blue the lead with a key ace followed by a kill from senior Kylie McCulley to seal the victory in the opening stanza.

The Illini never looked back after hitting .441 in the first set as they dominated the second set with a sizzling .464 hitting percentage. The Orange and Blue jumped out to a 7-1 lead and extended the lead all the way to 19-8 before handily winning the set 25-15. Bartsch was perfect in the second frame, connecting on all five attempts to tally five kills and also added two block assists.

The Illini struggled to get going at the start of the third set, but then turned it on to close out the Bobcats. After taking an 11-10 lead, Illinois never relinquished it and held Ohio to a measly .025 hitting percentage in the final frame.

Illinois out-hit Ohio .364 to .138 and had only eight errors compared to 25 by the Bobcats. Illinois won the blocking battle 7-5 and topped the Bobcats in digs, 39-35, and assists, 40-36. The defense stepped it up in sets two and three, holding Ohio's kills leader Ellen Herman to a .116 hitting percentage.

DeBruler and junior setter Hillary Haen were both named to the all-tournament team after impressive performances this weekend. DeBruler posted 31 kills to go along with 23 digs, while Haen recorded 79 assists between the two matches.

"We feel good about the weekend and are excited to get into the Big Ten," Hambly said. "In order to be successful in the Big Ten, we are going to need everyone to be scoring and clicking on all cylinders."

Illinois returns home next weekend to open up Big Ten play at Huff Hall. The Illini host Ohio State on Friday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. before facing undefeated and No. 1 Penn State on Saturday night.