Northwestern University Athletics
Volleyball Drops Close Match at Illinois
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
October 9, 1998
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Northwestern Wildcats gave 19th-ranked Illinois all it could handle before the Fighting Illini pulled out a 15-11, 9-15, 16-14, 15-12 victory over NU on Friday night before 2,051 at Huff Hall.
The match, which eventually lasted 2 hours and 10 minutes, opened the three-straight Illinois points. NU answered with an ace by sophomore outside hitter Carmen Burbach and a kill by senior middle blocker Melissa Doan. NU used the momentum to take a 6-3 lead. The game eventually was tied at 11-11 before Illinois rattled off four-straight points to take game one, 15-11.
The 'Cats quieted the crowd in game two, jumping out to a 6-0 lead with increased intensity. Illinois worked its way back and tied the game and 8-8. NU stopped the rally and eventually went on one of their own, scoring seven of the last eight points to win game two, 15-9.
Game three was quite a battle, with NU again jumping out to an early 10-4 lead. Illinois chipped away, closing the gap to 12-8 and 13-11. Illinois' Tracey Marshall notched three-straight kills in the waning moments to bring her team back. Illinois eventually scored five of the final six points to win game three, 16-14.
The Wildcats maintained their mental edge in game four, taking leads of 11-6 and 12-7. Illinois rallied to score eight unanswered points to win game four, 15-12, and the match, 3-1.
NU had four players with 12 or more kills, led by Jessica Holloway's 16 kills and 15 digs. Kitty Owen and 10 blocks and 12 kills, while Liz Renius notched 56 assists and seven blocks. Freshman Kate Hill, playing in her hometown, recorded a career-best 10 digs and three aces. NU registered 15 kills as a team.
Illinois improves to 11-4, 4-1 Big Ten, while NU drops to 11-6, 1-4 Big Ten. The Wildcats travel to West Lafayette, Ind., for a Saturday night matchup at Purdue.
