Illini volleyball splits two five-set matches

Illinois' Laura DeBruler (1) blocks a hit by Michigan State's Jenilee Rathje (5) during the game Friday at the Jennison Fieldhouse in East Lansing, Mich.
Josh Radtke

In the locker room Saturday night after losing the first two sets to No. 6 Michigan, Illinois senior Kylie McCulley decided that the match wasn't over.

That proved true as McCulley led the No. 12 Illini volleyball team to a come-from-behind victory in Ann Arbor, Mich., with Illinois taking the last three sets in a 21-25, 22-25, 25-20, 25-21, 15-11 win.

"I knew that it was not over yet, that those first two sets were battles," McCulley said. "We told ourselves we could do it, as long as we kept fighting and kept pushing, we knew that we had a shot. Winning those next three, it was just the most awesome feeling ever."

McCulley stepped up for the Illini (10-3, 2-2), as she tied her career high of 22 kills in the match, served perfectly (three aces and no errors) and posted a double-double (22 kills, 11 digs).

She was at her best in the fifth and final set, when she hit .556 and had five important kills.

"I think this was the first weekend that I finally just went out there and played my game free and loose," McCulley said.

Head coach Kevin Hambly said that McCulley carried the team and truly fulfilled her role as a senior, although he added the entire squad's defense is what won the match.

"Our defense was just extraordinary, a very high level" Hambly said.

"To have 15 blocks to their three and to also out-dig them (83-79), that rarely happens. It just created so much opportunity for us to score."

Junior Johannah Bangert and sophomore Michelle Bartsch both had 10 blocks.

Junior Laura DeBruler played well on defense, with a career-high 23 digs.

Junior setter Hillary Haen matched her career-high in digs with 17.

"We were just making crazy plays and having awesome rallies," DeBruler said. "We wouldn't let any balls hit the floor."

The Illini played their best in the final set, when they posted no errors, a feat they had yet to accomplish in a set this season.

"When it got to the third set, we knew that we had nothing to lose," DeBruler said. "We didn't have to save any energy because if we lost, then it was over. The entire time we just kept thinking, 'This is it, we have nothing to lose.'"

Illinois' victory Saturday was similar to its loss against No. 23 Michigan State on Friday night in East Lansing, Mich.

That match also went to five sets, with Michigan State prevailing 25-20, 20-25, 24-26, 28-26, 15-10.

Against the Spartans, the Illini got off to a slow start and could not stop Michigan State's attack force, Hambly said.

He thought his team was also a little "gun shy" after its loss to Penn State on Sept. 26 and that his squad didn't compete with enough "competitive energy."

"We learned after Friday night that we had to start off stronger," said DeBruler, who had 21 kills, breaking the school record for 20-kill matches with 30.

"We realized that we couldn't waste any time to build up our energy."

With both matches going into five sets, Hambly said it provided a necessary challenge for the Illini.

"That's what pushes them: fun and intense challenges," Hambly said.

"They like the games that require them to give it everything they have."