Illini Win! face UCLA in Finals

[Firehawk]

http://www.illinihq.com/sports/illini-sports/volleyball/2011-12-15/live-final-four-illini-win-5-sets-reach-final.html

Illinois is headed to the NCAA championship match after winning a five-set battle against Southern Cal Thursday night.

The Illini outlasted the Trojans 25-27, 25-18, 25-22, 18-25, 15-10.

The Illni (32-4) will face UCLA at 7:30 p.m. Saturday for the national title..

[obmtl]

Watch match point if you get a chance. It was incredible on both sides of the net. A highlight reel all its own.

[Firehawk]

http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/story/_/id/7358244/ucla-bruins-illinois-fighting-illini-advance-ncaa-volleyball-title-game


SAN ANTONIO -- Senior outside hitter Colleen Ward had 27 kills and Illinois advanced to its first championship match in school history by upsetting USC in five sets in the NCAA semifinals.

Michelle Bartsch added 22 kills for the Illini (32-4) in the 25-27, 25-18, 25-22, 18-25, 15-10 win. They'll face UCLA in Saturday's championship at the Alamodome.

Alex Jupiter had 32 kills for USC (29-5). The Trojans lost in the semis for the second consecutive year after being pushed to five sets for a third consecutive match this tournament.

The Illini were playing in their first semifinal in 23 years. They'll face college volleyball royalty in the Bruins, who've won three championships, but none since 1991.

[illiniproph]

It was a battle against USC.  The girl that wore the other color jersey for USC was digging everything.  They were playing well,
but so were we.  Our blocking wasnt as good as Ive seen, but it seemed to come alive in the 5th set.  Johnson and the 6'6
freshman (McCann?) were outstanding as well as the girl that wears the other color shirt.  But our team goes as Ward and
Bartsch go.  UCLA is good.  They split the season with USC and are big and powerful.  They took Fla St seemingly easily and
knocked off both Penn St and #1 ranked Texas.  It should be a good match as these girls are fun to watch.  Go Illini.

[Firehawk]

http://www.dailyillini.com/index.php/article/2011/12/illinois_volleyball_advances_to_1st_national_title_game_in_28_years

[Crusader]

Volleyball National Championship: Illinois (32-4) vs UCLA (29-6), 7:30pm CT, ESPN2

[Big Phil]

Volleyball National Championship: Illinois (32-4) vs UCLA (29-6), 7:30pm CT, ESPN2

I will be rooting for them, but money trumps women's volleyball tonight, I am Jason Witten and Laurent Robinsons biggest fans against the Bucs for $$$$$$ fantasy league

Hope they win nice to get a NC here in Illinois 

[Satsuma Illini]

10 minutes or so to game time.

Let's go ILLINI!!

[Satsuma Illini]

UCLA leads 15-14 first set. Illini led 5-1 and 13-10 but the Bruins keep battling back.

[Satsuma Illini]

UCLA wins 25-23 to take the first set.

Crap.