Aug. 26, 2006

Box Score |  Notes

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Kayani Turner had 12 kills and Vicki Brown added 11 as the University of Illinois claimed the championship of the State Farm Illini Classic with a 30-16, 30-27, 30-26 win over the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Saturday night in front of 1,560 fans in steamy Huff Hall.

The Panthers (1-2) had their chances in games two and three but could not overcome strong play in the middle and stellar serving by the Illini (3-0).

Melissa David led Milwaukee with 11 kills and earned a spot on the all-tournament team while Monica Ferguson added 10.

Illinois was sparked by 15 service aces and a great night from tournament most valuable player Brown, who hit .625 in the match while also adding four blocks.

"I thought we hit the high ball very well and it is very nice `D' earned all-tournament honors in a gym she probably dreamed of playing in when she grew up," UWM head coach Kathy Litzau said. "It was really our ball control that was the problem. Illinois is a very good serving team and that showed. When we passed well, we were right in the match and we could score in transition and on the outside. But we lost points off our passing. I think we have a very good ball-control team, so it is probably an experience issue right now."

The Illini controlled game one from start to finish. Illinois jumped out to a 5-2 lead and expanded the edge to 13-6 following an ace by Turner. The lead quickly jumped to 15-6 and hit 18-7 following a UWM error. The Panthers did pull within 20-11 following back-to-back kills by Ferguson, but UWM would get no closer the rest of the frame. A kill by Turner made it 24-12 and an ace by Turner pushed the edge to 28-13. A kill by Leanne Felsing and an Illinois error allowed UWM to get to 16 points before the Illini closed out the game.

UWM looked like it might even the match in the second game but fell victim to strong play down the stretch by the Illini. After trailing 15-12, the Panthers used a 6-2 run - capped by a Felsing ace - to grab an 18-17 lead. UWM eventually pushed its edge to 21-19 and still led 22-21 after an Illinois error. But, the Illini scored six of the next seven points to reclaim a 27-23 lead and UWM could get no closer than two points the rest of the way. A kill by David and an Illini error did make it 29-27, but a kill by Stephanie Alde finished out the frame for Illinois.

After Illinois held a small lead early in game three, the Panthers responded with an 8-2 run to take a 19-16 lead. Illinois came right back to claim a 20-19 lead and the Panthers would never lead again. But, UWM also didn't go away, forcing ties at 20, 21, 22, 24 and 25. The final push belonged to the Illini, though, as a UWM service error and two aces from Beth Vrdsky finished out the match.

UWM returns to action next weekend at the Bama Bash. The Panthers will play Ball State and Mercer Friday and the host Crimson Tide Saturday.