Oct. 30, 1999
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. ? The Purdue volleyball team spooked No. 23 Illinois tonight in a 15-9, 15-9, 6-15, 6-15, 15-10 victory. This is the first time since 1996 the Boilermakers have defeated Illinois and avenges a three-game loss to the Illini earlier this season.
After suffering a disappointing loss last night against intrastate rival Indiana, the Boilers turned things around by playing with the consistency that first-year head coach Jeff Hulsmeyer has been looking for all season.
?I could not be prouder,? Hulsmeyer said. ?This was one of the biggest wins of my career as a head coach, and the team came out and gave it all they had. Even in Games 3 and 4 when Illinois stepped up, we were still consistent and going for the win.
?This night was magical. The team played with heart and fortitude. It was a team win.?
Senior Aneska Arosarena led the Boilers with 23 kills and added 11 digs, marking her eighth double-double of the season. The outside hitter, who has led Purdue in kills in 14 of 21 matches, drew inspiration from her coach, Hulsmeyer, who came to Purdue in May after serving as an assistant at Illinois for three years.
?We did it for Jeff,? Arosarena said. ?This win feels awesome because we came out and fought hard as a team. We dedicate this win to our coach, who has had so much faith and belief in us all season.?
Hulsmeyer?s belief in teamwork paid off for Purdue, which got big numbers from all six starters. Junior Julie Doud contributed 17 kills and led the team in digs with 12. Senior Sarah Emke added 16 kills and matched a career high with 10 blocks. Sophomore Maegan Petersen was good for 15 kills, two shy of her career best. Senior Connie Paul chipped in 11 kills and seven blocks, while classmate Taryn Catlin contributed 65 assists. Purdue, which has struggled in passing and defending the net, turned things around this evening. The Boilermakers displayed much improved ball control in serve-receive, while also putting up big blocks against Illinois? touted hitters. Purdue ended up totaling a team season-high 18.5 blocks.
?The key to our win was blocking and passing,? Hulsmeyer said. ?Passing became very critical and essential by the end of the night.?
Purdue hit .244 in Game 1, while holding the Illini to a .159 percentage. The Boilermakers, who took a 2-0 lead to start out the contest, trailed just once in the game (3-2). Purdue and Illinois were tied at 8- and 9-all, but Purdue put together a 6-0 run down the stretch to claim the 15-9 victory.
Illinois had a 3-2 lead in Game 2, but a block by Arosarena and Paul tied the score at 3-3. The Boilermaker middle proved its strength by blocking for the next three points, which put Purdue up 6-3. The score was tied again at 7-7, before kills by Petersen and Arosarena gave the lead back to Purdue at 9-7. Illinois got in one more point before the Old Gold and Black erupted to score five unanswered. A block by Doud and Emke put the finishing touch on the game, giving Purdue the 15-9 win.
The Fighting Illini had a few tricks for the Boilers in Games 3 and 4, dismantling the Old Gold and Black attack by allowing it measly .111 and .171 hitting percentages, respectively. Illinois, meanwhile, hit .429 in both games, and was able to win both by identical 15-6 scores, forcing a deciding fifth game. The final game of the match got off to a quick pace. Illinois got in the first two points, but Doud responded for the Boilermakers with two kills to tie the game. Illinois went on a 6-4 run, making the score 8-6, but two kills by Arosarena knotted the game once more at 8-all. The game would see yet another tie at 10-10 before five consecutive points by the Boilermakers, capped by a thunderous kill by Arosarena, gave Purdue the 15-10 victory.
Illinois, which drops to 12-6 (8-4 Big Ten), suffered its first conference sweep of the season after tonight?s loss and yesterday?s loss at Wisconsin. The Fighting Illini were led by Betsy Spicer?s 18 kills and Sara Sorrell?s 17 digs.
The Boilermakers head to Michigan and Michigan State next weekend for Nov. 5 and Nov. 6 matches, respectively. Purdue swept both schools from the Wolverine state in the IAF earlier this year. Both matches will begin at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast live on WAZY (1410 AM) and www.purduesports.com).