Posted: 11/1/06 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Adam Babcock llinois' Amy Palash, left, gets under a serve as Ashley Edinger looks on during the match against Michigan State, Saturday at Huff Hall. For more pictures, go to Dailyillini.com. [Click to enlarge]

The Illinois volleyball team looks to finish its three-match home stint on a positive note as they play Northwestern at 7 p.m. at Huff Hall.

"It's a very important win for us because we needed to win at least two out of three of these (past) matches," head coach Don Hardin said. "To lose all three would be really tough for the team at this time."

Hardin said he thinks his players are tired of coming within points of a win but unable to close out the games as they did this past weekend against Michigan and Michigan State.

However, he said this week's strong practice showed key players, such as senior defensive specialist Beth Vrdsky and freshman libero Ashley Edinger, remaining "upbeat and pushing hard."

"It was inspirational to see that even though we were flat in some areas, players like Beth and Ashley on defense were flying in to chairs and in to walls like it was match point for the national title," Hardin said.

That kind of effort, he said, is infectious.

Northwestern is one of the best serving teams in the Big Ten conference, and it will be a test for Illinois. Hardin said the opponent runs a fast offense.

The Wildcats are 5-7 in the Big Ten and 11-10 overall. The Illini swept the Wildcats in Evanston earlier this season.

"We blocked them well last time, so I know this time around they will be more prepared for that," Hardin said.

Sophomore setter Lizzie Bazzetta earned the Defensive Player of the Week title earlier this month when the Illini faced Northwestern and Iowa. She said she will not focus on that honor but will focus on playing like the last meeting.

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools

The Daily Illini encourages on-topic discussion through article commenting on its articles and blogs. It is our policy not to delete any comments based upon political or ideological point of view. However, we reserve the right to remove comments that are abusive, off-topic or use excessive foul language.

The posting of copyrighted material, including any and all content for which you are not the author, is illegal under Federal intellectual property laws. Such activity will not be tolerated. Comments containing copyrighted material will be removed, and continued violation of copyright law is grounds for being banned completely from commenting on DailyIllini.com.

If you feel any post meets these conditions or merits review, please e-mail our editors at meonline@dailyillini.com.