Abbott Posts Strong Numbers in Return Against Illinois

11/1/2017 9:39:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Wildcats dropped a midweek matchup to Illinois on Wednesday, falling three sets to none.

Northwestern was led by senior outside hitter Symone Abbott, who returned to the court after missing her last two games with a lower-body injury. She hit .368, totaling nine kills on 19 swings while only committing two errors against the Fighting Illini, who received votes in the most recent AVCA Coaches' Poll. Abbott had a .474 kill percentage in the contest.

Senior setter Taylor Tashima posted 32 assists in the setback, while first-year libero Lexi Pitsas added 13 digs.

The Wildcats were paced in set one by Abbott, who amassed four kills on 10 attempts, while only committing one error en route to a .300 hitting percentage in the match opener.

As a team, the Wildcats hit .209 but were stifled by the .333 hitting percentage of the Fighting Illini in the first set, falling 25-18.

The Wildcats were able to step-up their offensive attack in the second set, registering a tremendous .433 hitting percentage, which includes five kills on 10 swings for first-year Nia Robinson. They were able to hold Illinois to a .367 clip in the set, but Illinois' four service aces were able to lead them to a 25-22 set two final.

NU was unable to find the offense in the third set that the squad possessed in the rest of the match, losing 25-14.

The Wildcats return to Evanston to host No. 9 Michigan State on Saturday at historic Beardsley Gym in Evanston Township High School. Northwestern is hosting a Lymphoma Awareness Night for the contest, in support of redshirt sophomore Kaitlin Tavarez, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in August.