Oct. 4, 2000
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue volleyball team fell 8-15, 12-15, 17-15, 13-15, 5-15 Wednesday to Illinois. With the loss, the Boilermakers drop to 9-8 (1-4 Big Ten), while Illinois improves to 10-6 (1-4 Big Ten).
"I really don't feel we played a good game tonight," head coach Jeff Hulsmeyer said. "We showed a lot of heart, determination and effort in games three and four, but not throughout the match. Although some players really stepped up, we just didn't play our best."
Senior Julie Doud led the Boilermakers with 27 kills and 18 digs, while freshman Joanna Lowry recorded 24 kills and 13 digs. Senior setter Melissa Risher topped her career-best with 74 assists on the night, and was third in digs with 12. Junior Maegan Petersen was good for 15 kills, while rookie Eryn Leach recorded 10.
"Eryn played well tonight off the bench for us," Hulsmeyer said. "She is the type of athlete that will be a great Big Ten player as she continues to work on her fundamentals."
Illinois scored nine unanswered points in Game 1. Purdue could not recover and the Fighting Illini went on to take the game 15-8. They continued their success into Game 2 as they went on to win 15-12.
The Boilermakers were ready for action following the break between Games 2 and 3. Purdue took its first lead of the night as they began Game 3 5-3. Illinois went on a 4-2 run to knot the match 7-all. The Boilermakers could not stop the attack as the Fighting Illini rallied to take a 13-10 lead. Purdue made good on two Illini errors and knotted the score at the 13 mark. Illinois would score the next point, but the game was for the Boilermakers as they went on a 4-1 run to take the game.
Purdue did not let up on the intensity in Game 4 as they battled from an early 7-3 deficit to take the 15-13 win. But the comeback was to no avail as the Fighting Illini held Purdue to only five points in Game 5 to take the match.
The Boilermakers will resume action Friday when they head to Columbus to face No. 11 Ohio State. Action will begin at 7 p.m. EST (6 p.m. local time) and will be broadcast live on WAZY 1410 AM and www.purduesports.com.