Lake Forest, Ill. — Illinois Tech Women's Volleyball (6-11, 2-3 NACC) claimed a 3-1 victory over Lake Forest College (4-10, 1-1 Midwest) in a non conference match up on Friday evening.
Illinois Tech opened the first set against Lake Forest with a strong offensive display, quickly gaining a 3-1 advantage with kills from
London Francis and
Sydney Wilson.
Victoria Aspurez emerged as a key player for the visitors, recording multiple kills, including a pivotal one at 25-13 to close the set.
Veronica Lopez facilitated the offensive efforts by providing numerous assists, helping Illinois Tech maintain a comfortable lead throughout. Despite a brief rally by the Foresters near the end, marked by Meghan Winston's consistent scoring, Illinois Tech's dominant early run secured the 25-13 set victory.
Lake Forest capitalized on a series of Illinois Tech errors to secure a 25-19 victory in the second set. Wilson contributed significantly for Illinois Tech with two kills, including one at 7-5, and a service ace at 18-13. However, Illinois Tech struggled with attack errors and setting mistakes,, which allowed the Foresters to regain control. A crucial turning point occurred when Lake Forest went on a six-point run from 19-19, fueled by Rio Dirksen's service ace and Simisola Osinaike's kill, closing the set with Illinois Tech unable to respond effectively.
In a decisive third set, Illinois Tech took control early with a 3-0 lead, highlighted by kills from
Lilia Donaldson and Lopez. Despite Lake Forest tying the score at 3-3, Illinois Tech regained momentum with a service ace by
Brooke Rifkin and maintained the lead. Strong performances from Francis and Veters helped Illinois Tech pull ahead. A crucial sequence saw Illinois Tech capitalize on three bad sets by Lake Forest's Lilly Robinson, extending their lead to 18-16. Ultimately, Illinois Tech closed the set 25-20, securing the set with a final attack error by Lake Forest's Lilly Robinson.
Lake Forest and the Scarlet Hawks battled through a tense fourth set, with Illinois Tech ultimately securing a 28-26 victory. The set began with Lake Forest committing a service error, giving Illinois Tech an early point. Aspurez and Wilson contributed to Illinois Tech's momentum with kills, building a 5-1 lead. Lake Forest responded, closing the gap to tie the set at 13-13, aided by a kill from Rio Dirksen and several Illinois Tech errors. The game remained close as both teams exchanged points, with Lake Forest briefly taking the lead at 17-13 after a service ace by Alisa Kevric. Illinois Tech fought back, with Francis delivering key kills, tying the score at 23-23. After a service error by Lake Forest, it was Aspurez's block that clinched a 25-24 lead for Illinois Tech. Despite trading errors in the final rallies, Illinois Tech capitalized on a final attack error by Dirksen to claim the set and the match.
Illinois Tech Top Performers
Victoria Aspurez
----------------------
- 14 kills with a .297 hitting percentage
- five blocks (two solo)
- 18.5 points
Brooke Rifkin
----------------------
- 15 digs
- five assists
- one service ace
Veronica Lopez
----------------------
- 27 assists
- 11 digs
Maya Zinkiewicz
----------------------
- 17 digs
- one assist
Lake Forest Top Performers
----------------------
Meghan Winston
- 8 kills
- 15 digs
- 11.0 points
Alisa Kevric
- 23 digs
- 4 assists
- 1 service ace
Simisola Osinaike
- 6 total blocks
- 3 kills
- 6.5 points
Game Notes:
- Illinois Tech is now 6-4 overall against the Foresters, winning the last two matches in a row.
Up Next
Illinois Tech will host Wisconsin Lutheran College at the Keating Sports Center tomorrow Saturday, October 11, with first serve at noon.
