Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Volleyball Upsets No. 15 Illinois
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
November 7, 1998
EVANSTON, Ill. - Senior outside hitter Jessica Holloway (Lafayette, Ind./McCutcheon) blasted a season-high 26 kills to lead Northwestern to a 15-12, 4-15, 15-12, 15-9 victory over No. 15-ranked Illinois. It marked NU's first win over Illinois since Oct. 12, 1990 and completed a Big Ten weekend sweep for the Wildcats (their first since 1994) after a 3-1 win over Purdue last night.
Northwestern (15-11, 5-9 Big Ten) had its largest attendance in program history. A total of 1,127 spectators filled Welsh-Ryan Arena.
The 'Cats got a season-best 17 kills from senior middle blocker Melissa Doan (Kalamazoo, Mich./Portage Northern). With that performance, Doan became the 14th player in NU history to record 1,000 career kills. She now owns 1,005.
Senior setter Liz Renius (Temperance, Mich./Bedford) provided eight kills, eight digs and 49 assists to the winning effort. She went often to sophomore outside hitter Carmen Burbach (Columbus, Neb./Scotus Central Catholic) who chipped in with 12 kills and 13 digs.
Leading the way for Illinois was junior outside hitter Tracey Marshall, who tallied a team-high 16 kills and 13 digs. It was the second straight loss for Illinois. The Fighting Illini (16-8, 9-5 Big Ten) fell last night at Indiana, 3-1.
Head coach Kevin Renshler's team knocked off its second nationally-ranked opponent of the year tonight. With 15 victories and counting, the 'Cats clinched their most successful season in eight years. The Wildcats have six matches remaining this season, but only one at home. They are on the road next weekend at No. 8 Wisconsin Friday and at Iowa Saturday.
