Strong Defensive Effort Not Enough to Stop #24 Illinois

10/15/2016 9:16:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

Box Score | Season Stats

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Northwestern defense held a nationally-ranked Illinois squad to just .176 hitting, and 10 Wildcats got on the score sheet with digs or blocks, but No. 24 Illinois won in a sweep on its home court Saturday night.

Senior Rafae Strobos and freshman Sarah Johnson provided an effective back row for Northwestern, with both reaching double-digit digs. Johnson had a team-high 14, while Strobos, playing libero for the fourth consecutive match, had a career-high 13.

Junior outside hitter Symone Abbott led the way in the kills category for the Wildcats for the 19th time this season. Her seven brought her Big Ten-leading kills total to 282. Eight players recorded kills for Northwestern.

The 'Cats recorded more attacks than the Illini, but the Illinois front line registered 13 blocks to stymie the Wildcats' attack.

After dropping the first two sets, NU bounced back and played tight with the Illini in the third, using a rotation that consisted of sophomore Cassidy Nussman and freshman Allie Lindroth, along with the usual starters. Freshman Emily Ehman also made an appearance in the set. Illinois was able to finish off the match with a 25-22 decision.

Lindroth put down four kills in her time on the floor.

Chicago's Big Ten Team is back at home next weekend with a Friday match against No. 22 Purdue and a Sunday match against Indiana. The latter will be televised nationally on Big Ten Network.