Illinois' Dennis Nevolo and Marek Czerwinski teamed to win the ITA Midwest Regional doubles title Monday

Jeff Huth answers a volleyball question

CHAMPAIGN – Here are four good reasons why you should be excited about being a part of the UI's effort to set a volleyball attendance record of 14,000 on Friday night at the Assembly Hall:

– This is a Top 10 Illini volleyball team, with the powerful Michelle Bartsch and the graceful Laura DeBruler certain to grab your attention with their putaway spikes. But don't overlook No. 8, Hillary Haen, whose setup passes sparked Illinois' straight-sets win against Northwestern on Wednesday. She is the point guard, the football quarterback who sets up her teammates. She is Kevin Hambly's coach on the floor.

CHAMPAIGN – Ashley Edinger has plenty of reasons to vividly remember her first collegiate volleyball match.

At least 3,129 of them.

CHAMPAIGN – Michelle Bartsch led a balanced attack with 13 kills as No. 10 Illinois defeated Northwestern 25-20, 25-16, 25-19 on Wednesday.

Laura DeBruler and Kylie McCulley each added 12 kills for the Illini (13-3, 5-2 Big Ten), who won their fourth straight. Northwestern (11-8, 2-5) had won four straight matches at Huff Hall.

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Big Ten honors Illini volleyball's Bangert; spikers up to No. 10 in poll.

Freshman diver sets school mark in season debut

CHAMPAIGN – After playing three consecutive five-set matches, the No. 12 Illinois volleyball team made quick work of Indiana on Saturday night at Huff Hall.

CHAMPAIGN – The No. 12 Illinois volleyball team rallied for a five-set victory against Purdue on Friday night behind a record-tying blocking performance by Johannah Bangert and 32 digs by Ashley Edinger.

"Johannah Bangert and Ashley Edinger were a big reason why we pulled it out," Illini coach Kevin Hambly said after the 24-26, 25-21, 24-26, 25-18, 15-9 Big Ten triumph at Huff Hall. "I felt they won that fifth set for us in the end. Ashley was everywhere making plays. I just thought those two really carried us in the fifth set."