Indiana University Athletics
Hoosiers Fall to No. 20 Illinois
11/21/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
November 21, 2003
Box ScoreBloomington, Ind. - Giving a spirited effort against the second-place team in the Big Ten, the Indiana volleyball team came up short against No. 20 Illinois, falling in four games 30-20, 28-30, 30-23, 30-27. The Hoosiers drop to 11-17 on the season and 4-13 in league play, while the Fighting Illini move to 22-5 overall and 4-13 in the conference.
"I thought Illinois did a great job," said Indiana head coach Katie Weismiller. "They are a very good team. They have a lot of offense. On our side, Victoria (Zimmerman) did a great job of distributing the ball and creating a lot of opportunities for all of our hitters. Our location was also very good. We knew Illinois was a good team, and they were tough. I thought at times we looked good and at times we didn't. Our consistency is a variable that we need to get better at."
Senior Melissa Brewer (Bloomington, Ind./North) turned in a brilliant performance despite the outcome. Brewer terminated 16 kills, hitting .375 to go along with three block solos and five block assists. Junior setter Victoria Zimmerman (Barrington, Ill./Barrington) tallied her second straight double-double and eighth of the season with 42 assists and 12 digs.
"Vic did a great job of getting me the ball tonight," said Brewer. "I have to give her all the credit. In fact, the coaches created a great scouting report because they knew I was only going to have one blocker all night because they were releasing with the outside. I have to give them all the credit for having the good night."
After dropping the opener 30-20, the Hoosiers put forth a strong effort in game two, claiming a 30-28 victory. IU jumped out to an early 10-6 lead with the help of three Brewer kills. The Hoosiers maintained their lead until the Illini used a 6-1 run to even the game at 18-18.
Sophomore Ashley White (St. Charles, Ill./East) halted the U of I rally with her second kill of the game, and Indiana never trailed the rest of the way. Illinois cut the lead to 27-26 before another White kill coupled with a kill by junior Katie Pollom (Indianapolis, Ind.) helped shut the door and even the match at one game apiece.
In the game, Brewer pounded four kills and picked up one block solo and three block assists.
Illinois responded in game three, jumping out to an early 7-1 lead it would never relinquish. IU ran off six of the next eight points to cut the deficit to 9-7, but the Fighting Illini ran off a 10-4 spurt to take a 19-11 lead that effectively closed out the game. U of I ended the game with a 30-23 victory. Pollom led the Hoosiers with four kills in the game.
Looking to extend the match, Indiana picked up its intensity in the fourth game. IU started quickly, taking a 9-5 lead behind three kills by senior Monique Pritz (Columbus, Ind./East). The Illini rallied to even the match at 15-15 before back-to-back kills by Brewer and Pritz and a U of I error gave the Hoosiers a three-point cushion.
However, Illinois came back once again and evened the game at 20-20. The teams exchanged the next 12 points and remained deadlocked at 26-26 until the Fighting Illini scored four of the game's final five points to close out the game and the match, 30-27.
Despite the loss, junior Christina Archibald (Belleville, Ill./West) nailed 13 kills with seven digs. Junior Beth Heimann (Decatur, Ind./Bellmont) joined Zimmerman in double figures with 10 digs.
The Hoosiers return to the court tomorrow night, squaring off against the Wildcats of Northwestern. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. at University Gym.
"We are going to look to change consistency for tomorrow's match," said Weismiller. "We have to come out consistent. We have to be able to give everyone the ball and have everyone terminating. Our passing last weekend was great. Our passing has been so good. We had a little let down passing tonight, and I expect that to be back. Melissa (Brewer) had a great night tonight and she is a big part of our offensive. We will look to give her the ball again."
Additionally, tonight's match will be televised on tape delay by Fox Sports Chicago on Sun., Nov. 23 at 3:00 p.m. CST.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Volleyball
/ Women's Volleyball
/ Women's Volleyball
/ Women's Volleyball
/ Women's Volleyball
/ Women's Volleyball
/ Women's Volleyball
/ Women's Volleyball
/ Women's Volleyball
/ Women's Volleyball
/ Women's Volleyball
/ Women's Volleyball
/ Women's Volleyball
/ Women's Volleyball
/ Women's Volleyball
/ Women's Volleyball
/ Women's Volleyball
/ Women's Volleyball
/ Women's Volleyball
/ Women's Volleyball
/ Women's Volleyball
/ Women's Volleyball
/ Women's Volleyball
/ Women's Volleyball
Wednesday, August 05
Monday, August 03
Monday, August 03
Monday, August 03