Fans help Illini volleyball to win
Ian Gold
Staff writer
Brad Kahler
The Daily Illini
Illinois middle blocker Lisa Argabright blocks Friday night at Huff Hall. Argabright led the team with 13 kills and 5 blocks to defeat DePaul 3-0. |
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Anyone entering Huff Hall could feel the electricity in the air as the Illinois volleyball team captured the State Farm Classic title in front of 1,500 fans.
The team and the Illini Pride worked hard to create an atmosphere, which catapulted the Illini to victories over the DePaul Blue Demons and the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.
"The crowd was amazing," senior middle blocker Lisa Argabright said. "Seeing all the fans at the game was motivation, and looking into the crowd and seeing all the orange was a great way to start the season."
On Friday night there was a free barbecue outside of Huff to kick off the home season. Those in attendance followed the festivities with the volleyball match, where the Illini beat the Blue Demons.
"From point one, we were in control of the match," Argabright said. "Tonight we were going to make the first push and we were not going to let up the attack."
The Illinois attack was relentless. Whenever it seemed the Blue Demons had a chance in the match it was squashed by a well-placed Illini spike.
Illinois head coach Don Hardin's ability to blend the women's individual skills made his job this weekend easier.
"Lisa (Argabright) was dominant," Hardin said. "The Demons and not even the ref's were ready for her, she did a few things I don't think they have seen before."
Hardin also noticed the Illini Pride's effect.
"The crowd was so into it that in the first game we can thank them for our first points," Hardin said.
The only person to match the Illini Pride's intensity was junior Erin Virtue.
"Virtue's effort is contagious," Hardin said. "She will kill herself for every ball, she will show up and play her hardest every day and when she is in the gym she is making a statement that she will not be outworked or outhustled."
After a first-round victory over Evansville, a talented Wake Forest team got a glimpse of what their future match-up with the Illini held.
The Demon Deacons were present during Illinois' first game against DePaul and went home nervous.
"After watching us play they put their heads on the pillow that night knowing that when they woke up they would have to go out and play their best or they were in for an embarrassing evening," Hardin said.
Wake Forest put up a tough fight during the first game, which the Illini edged 30-28.
Halfway through the second game the Illini broke it open.
"We came out with fight, we had the determination and all of our skills came together at the right time," junior Jessica Belter said. "We owe a lot of it to the crowd."
Virtue, Melissa Vandrey and Argabright were recognized for their impressive play by earning places on the all-tournament team.
The Illini finished the State Farm Classic stronger than in years past, clicking on all cylinders, as all aspects of their game improved.
"This is the best we have played for several years," Hardin said.
The Illinois volleyball squad returns to Champaign Sept. 16 against Loyola.
The Illini Pride's Effect
"Jack-Hammer … Jack-Hammer," cried Illini Pride, Illinois' student cheering section. These chants had nothing to do with the never-ending construction on campus; instead they were describing the play of 6-foot-5 senior Argabright.
The Illini Pride fan base booms out the Jack-Hammer chant after every point that State Farm Classic tournament MVP Argabright accounts for.
"(The cheer) started last year, and I like it," Argabright said. "I think it's fun. It adds to the crowd's presence. I love our student section to begin with, I love how involved they get."
The Illini Pride spike squad will be chomping at the bit until they can return to Huff Hall when the Illini face-off against Loyola.
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