Champaign, Ill. – The Fighting Illini provided a first look at the 2015 volleyball season on Saturday night, hosting the Orange & Blue scrimmage in front of a crowd of 1,791 at Huff Hall. In a four-set exhibition, the Orange team, which included all of the 2015 newcomers, took down the veteran Blue team, 3-1.
Michelle Strizak, representing team Blue, led the match with 21 kills, while Katie Roustio was team leader for Orange with 16, and the pair both had double-doubles with a combination of 21 digs.
"I think I did a really good job of connecting with Lex," said Strizak. "She was giving me all sorts of opportunities with our new tempo. I thought Roustio did a great job of using our block a lot, hitting high, and making smart shots all the time, and putting herself in a good position to score.
"I think both of us, throughout the past two years, have really strived off of competing with each other in the gym and outside the gym. The key for this team, since we have such a deep team, is to always compete for different jobs because it makes us stay on top of our game."
Katie Stadick and Naya Crittenden also put up double-digit kills for team Orange with 11 and 10, respectively, while Jocelynn Birks had 11 kills and 10 digs for team Blue.
Freshman setter Jordyn Poulter posted a double-double in her first match donning Illini orange, registering 47 assists and 12 digs to go with two blocks, two kills and an ace. Senior Alexis Viliunas quarterbacked the Blue team, tallying 37 assists, 13 digs, four blocks and an ace.
"Jordyn and I really connected during the scrimmage and the whole preseason," said Roustio. "My team really put in the work. Our biggest thing was having energy since we have a lot of new people who haven't been playing in Huff before. It was just really cool to see them get out there."
At the net, the Illini combined for 16 team blocks, led by middles Ali Bastianelli (6) and Maddie Mayers (5). The Illini spread around the back row defense, as four players on each team had double-digit digs; Blue team libero Brandi Donnelly posted 12, while Orange libero Danielle Davis tallied a match-best 18 and Julia Conard put up 10.
"They're ballers," said head coach Kevin Hambly of the defensive specialists. "All of them can pass and all of them can defend. In order to have a great team, you have to have all the pieces. The development over the last spring and early this fall has made us better. They don't get a lot of love; most of them aren't even on scholarship. We're really lucky to have the group of 'wee ones' that we have, because with them I think we have the pieces to be a very good team."
The Illini combined for nine service aces on the night, led by Allison Palmer with three for team Orange.
"We've got a lot of arms and kids that can score," said Hambly. "I think we're going to have to use everyone. That's the great thing about it; if someone is having an off night, it's ok, put someone else out there."
"There's definitely a lot of competition in the gym throughout all the practices," said Roustio. "It's really cool to see the competition level get higher every year."
The Illini open the 2015 season on Friday, August 28, when they host the Illini Classic at Huff Hall. Illinois kicks off the year against Louisville at 7 p.m. on Friday in the annual "Stuff Huff" match, followed by Miami (Ohio) and Creighton on Saturday.
