After a slow start to the match, the Scarlet Hawks took control on September 26 at Lake Forest College. The Scarlet Hawks won the evening’s final three sets en route to a 3-1 victory, defeating the Foresters for the second time in as many seasons.

Scores

• Illinois Tech 3, Lake Forest 1 (16-25, 25-21, 25-20, 25-16)

How it Happened

• Lake Forest came out aggressive, hitting .208% in the first set while holding the Scarlet Hawks to a .000% mark. The Foresters ended the set on three straight service aces.
• In the second set, things changed early. A balanced offensive attack propelled the Scarlet Hawks to a 7-1 lead. Some great offense from Sara Hassell and Taylor Burton kept Illinois Tech ahead all set, but the Foresters made a furious late comeback to cut what was once an 11-point lead down to just two at 22-20. However, two Burton kills, one of which was the 25th point, helped the Scarlet Hawks clinch set two.
• The third set started out in similar fashion, with the Scarlet Hawks taking a 5-0 lead. Lake Forest would come back quicker this time, cutting the lead to one at 7-6, but never managed to take a lead. Burton closed out another set with a kill as Illinois Tech moved into the driver’s seat with a 2-1 lead.
• Illinois Tech used another 5-0 run to start a set to jump out ahead, never relinquishing the lead once again. Burton ended the set with a kill, icing a fantastic 25-16 set and a 3-1 victory.

Scarlet Hawk Standouts

• Burton continues to make strides in her sophomore season, recording 14 kills with an impressive .414 hitting percentage.
• Hassell, the reigning USCAA and AD3I Player of the Week award winner, had a match-high 17 kills to go along with nine digs and two total blocks (one solo, one assisted).
• Justine Bracco had one of her best matches as a Scarlet Hawk, tallying four kills, adding two total blocks (one solo, one assisted), and making several plays in the fourth set to aid Illinois Tech to a victory.
• Reya Green had three service aces to lead Illinois Tech.
• Courtney Darling had a double-double of 16 assists and 15 digs.

Stats to Know

• The Scarlet Hawks moved to 6-10 on the season and have now won three of the last four matches. Lake Forest dropped to 7-9.
• Illinois Tech outhit Lake Forest .101% to .051%, recording 41 kills compared to LFC’s 34.
• Digs were nearly even at 63-61 in favor of the Scarlet Hawks.

Up Next

• Illinois Tech hosts the Scarlet Hawk Invite on Friday, September 29 and Saturday, September 30 at the Keating Sports Center. Six different colleges will visit Chicago in the two-day event, which will feature four Illinois Tech matches. The Scarlet Hawks will take on UC Clermont (3 p.m.) and Anderson (7 p.m.) on September 29 before hosting Olivet (11 a.m.) and Albion (1 p.m.) on September 30. Stay tuned to www.illinoistechathletics.com for more information on the tournament as it nears.