Nov. 16, 2002
EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern moved one step closer to earning its first NCAA Tournament berth since 1984 Saturday night, defeating in-state rival Illinois 30-17, 19-30, 30-23, 32-30. Coincidentally, the victory also gives the Wildcats their first season sweep of the Fighting Illini since 1984.
The victory improved NU to 16-12 overall and 9-7 in the Big Ten, while Illinois fell to 11-14 and 5-11.
Iwona Lodzik (Tarnobrzeg, Poland/Tarnobrzeg) recorded match-highs of 19 kills and 14 digs, while Erika Lange (Orland Park, Ill./Carl Sandburg) added 18 kills and seven blocks. Christie Gardner (West Bend, Wis./East) and Kelli Meyer (Madison, Wis./Edgewood) also reached double-figures in kills, posting 16 and 10 respectively. Gardner added 11 digs to complete the double-double.
Sophomore setter Drew Robertson (Long Beach, Calif./Poly) contributed 60 assists, her third consecutive match recording 60 or more. She also tied a career high with six kills in addition to 10 digs. Lizzie Carlson (Palo Alto, Calif./Palo Alto) added 14 digs to the cause.
Northwestern dominated throughout the opening game. Leading 10-8, the 'Cats gradually pulled away from the Illini. NU eventually led 17-13 when it went on an 11-3 run to take a 28-16 advantage.
The Wildcats outhit Illinois .324-to-.061 in the game behind a balanced hitting effort. Lange led NU with four kills, while Gardner, Lodzik, Robertson and Sarah Ballog (Coto de Caza, Calif./Santa Margarita) added three apiece.
But the Illini completely turned things around in the second game. Illinois held a 16-15 edge before going on a 12-3 spurt for a 28-18 lead. The visitors hit a blistering .429 in the set, recording 16 kills with only one error.
Northwestern bounced back in Game 3, pounding down a total of 24 kills. The 'Cats hit a scorching .543 in the game, thanks to seven kills by Lodzik in eight attacks. Robertson totaled 22 assists in the frame.
The Wildcats held a slim 21-20 lead before scoring five of the next six points, including three kills by Lodzik, for a 26-21 advantage.
NU appeared to have the fourth game firmly in control late, leading 28-24. However, Illinois rallied back with four straight points to tie the game. The teams traded the next four points, but Gardner then finished off the Illini with back-to-back kills to give the 'Cats the victory.
Northwestern is back in action at 7 p.m. Wednesday night when it travels to Wisconsin for a mid-week meeting with the Badgers.