Losing streak extends courtesy of Illinois

The IU women's volleyball team traveled to the University of Illinois this weekend, losing to the Illini in three straight sets (30-22, 30-21, 30-27). Saturday's loss dropped the Hoosiers to 6-7 overall and 0-2 in Big Ten play.\nIn Saturday's opening match, IU started out strong, but was not able to hold off an Illinois' run. After junior Mandy Eberle's kill cut the score to 8-7 in favor of the Illini, the orange and blue went on a 20-12 run.\nRefusing to go down without a fight, the Hoosiers attempted to come back with three straight points before the Illini finished off the match.\nIn the match's second game, IU suffered a similar fate as in the first set. IU coach Katie Weismiller's squad would stick with the Illini, but were never able to catch up. A kill by freshman Lauren Ditteon brought the Hoosiers to within three points, but that was as close as they got. \nIllinois never really let IU into the match. It went on a run of its own to finish the game, winning 30-21. \nTrailing 0-2, the Hoosiers came out strong behind Eberle and senior Katie Pollom's offensive attack to take the lead at 10-6. The score bounced back and forth throughout the match until kills by Eberle and Ditteon gave IU a 24-22 lead.\nHowever, the Illini went on an 8-3 run to win the game and the match. \nAgainst Illinois, the Hoosiers were led by Eberle with 11 kills and a .450 hitting percentage and Pollom with 9 kills of her own. \nThe Illini had four players with double-digit kills and were paced by Meghan Macdonald and Rasa Virsilaite, who both had 11 kills, respectively.\nThe Hoosiers now have a week off before they travel to East Lansing, Mich., to play Michigan State Friday and Michigan Saturday.