By Matthew Montague
With conference play less than a week away, the women”s volleyball team is struggling in taking the early lead in games.
The Cougars were leading 28-26 in game one against Illinois, Friday night Sept. 20, but were unable to win the first game.
The Fighting Illini swept the Cougars in three games, 32-30, 30-27 and 30-26.
“We let the first game slip away,” head coach Karen Lamb said. “We need to get better at the end of the first game. We win that game and it”s a different match.”
Game one of the Illinois match was almost identical to the Arkansas match on Thursday.
In both matches the Cougars came out early and played well, but couldn”t finish the game off.
BYU jumped out to an 11-7 lead and maintained a four-point lead for most of the game.
However, Illinois came back to tie the game at 21-21.
BYU responded and took the momentum back and came within two points of winning game one with the score at 28-26.
Unfortunately, some mistakes by the Cougars cost them some points and game one. Losing game one seemed to drain the energy and confidence from the Cougars.
In game two, the Fighting Illini scored the first two points of the game and never trailed.
Strong serving by Illinois caused problems for BYU all night long. Illinois ended the night with nine aces to the Cougars” four.
In game three, Illinois again came out strong and took control of the game early.
“We struggled with their middle, but got that under control in the third game,” Lamb said.
By game three it was a little too late.
Junior middle blocker Lisa Argabright, senior outside hitter Sue Webber and sophomore middle blocker Jessica Belter each had 12 kills to lead the Illini.
Senior setter Betsy Eiserman dished out a match high 45 assists to her front line. For most of the game the Fighting Illini had a four-point lead.
BYU finished game three with a comeback to pull within one at 26-25, but Illinois held off the late surge and won game three, 30-26.
BYU is now 5-8 and has a week to prepare for conference play, which begins this Friday, September 27 at San Diego State and Saturday September 28 at UNLV.
“We”re ready for our conference to begin,” Lamb said. “A lot more ready now than we were a week ago.”
