University of Illinois
14-12, 7-8B1G
Wisconsin
21-3, 13-2B1G
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
| Illinois | 17 | 18 | 21 | 0 |
Illini Falls in Three to No. 3 Badgers
November 11, 2016 | Volleyball
Stadick, Donnelly lead Illinois in setback
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Junior Brandi Donnelly collected a match-high 18 digs and senior Katie Stadick registered a .462 hitting percentage with a team-high six kills on 13 swings and no errors, but the Fighting Illini volleyball team suffered a three-set setback (25-17, 25-18, 25-21) to No. 3 Wisconsin on Friday (Nov. 11) night at Huff Hall.
The Illini fall to 14-12 on the season and 7-8 in the Big Ten, while the Badgers improve to 21-3 and 13-2 in the conference.
Senior Michelle Strizak also turned in a team-high six kills and nine digs, while sophomore setter Jordyn Poulter totaled 25 assists. Classmate Ali Bastianelli added a team-high four blocks on the night.
After the Illini opened the scoring in the first set, the Badgers raced out an early 7-2 advantage. Trailing by five at 11-6, the Illini put together a 6-1 run to close within one at 13-12 on a Strizak solo block midway through the first. UW responded with its own 7-1 run to grab a 20-13 edge before taking the opening stanza, 25-17.
It was another quick start for the visitors in the second set as UW score the period's first five points en route to an 8-2 lead. A Strizak and Bastianelli block then opened a 9-2 run to cut the deficit to one at 11-10 as Strizak teamed with Stadick to finish off the run with another block.
Four-straight UW points pushed the visitor lead back to 14-10, but again the Illini responded to come within 15-14, before another five-straight scores from the Badgers put the UI in a 19-14 hole. Out of a timeout, the Illini battled back on the serve of senior McKenna Kelsay with a Bastianelli kill, followed by back-to-back scores from freshman Jacqueline Quade to close within 19-17. Wisconsin then finished off the set by connecting on six of the final seven points for the 25-18 win.
Out of intermission, the Badgers continued to control the match and jumped out to an early 8-3 edge. Four-straight Illini points midway through the set cut the UW lead to 16-13, but back-to-back Badger scores stalled the comeback. Trailing by four at 20-16, the Illini rallied again to close within 20-19 on back-to-back setter dumps from Poulter, but four-unanswered Badger scores gave the visitors a 24-19 advantage. After UI fought off two match points, the Badgers wrapped up the win with a 25-21 set three victory.
The Illini continues its four-match home stand on Saturday (Nov. 12), welcoming in No. 2 Minnesota for a 7 p.m. match in Huff Hall.
