Oct. 10, 2009

Final Stats

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Indiana University volleyball team (13-6, 2-3 Big Ten) dropped a 3-0 decision on the road to No. 12 Illinois (12-3, 4-2) Saturday evening. The Fighting Illini defeated Indiana by scores of 25-20, 25-21 and 25-22.

Freshman Kelci Marschall was the top assassin for Indiana offensively, putting away 10 kills at a .250 pace. Ashley Benson was the most efficient offensive force as she posted a .333 hitting efficiency (9-2-21).

Defensively, it was Caitlin Cox topping the digs category for IU with 10 dug balls. Meanwhile, Benson led the way in the defensive frontcourt with three stuffs.

Marschall got her nice night started right away in the opening set, hitting .375 with four kills. Unfortunately, it was a one-women show for IU in the opener as the Hoosiers committed far too many unforced errors to overcome as Illinois took it, 25-20.

The quality of Indiana's offensive attacks improved in set number two, but one has to give credit to the Fighting Illini and their 20 digs in that set alone. Few of those digs came off of swings by Benson though, who started to heat up with her three kills on seven attempts. Indiana garnered a 10-9 lead in the early goings before a 7-2 run for Illinois put them ahead for good in the 25-21 second stanza.

The huge digs discrepancy evident in the first two sets was ended in the third set, thanks largely to Cox picking up five balls. Indiana's increased defensive intensity made a difference on the scoreboard. The Hoosiers grabbed a 17-16 lead following a kill by Illinois native, Jordan Haverly. Despite falling behind moments later, Indiana continued to battle back in the final set, cutting the deficit to a lone point as late as 22-21. In the end it was Illinois coming out on top, however, winning the final set 25-22.

Indiana is back at it early Sunday evening with a 6 p.m. (eastern; 5 p.m. local central time) match at Northwestern. Follow all the action with the live audio feed provided by IUHoosiers.com, free of charge. Dave Leno is set to handle the play-by-play duties while Kyle Kuhlman assists with color commentary.