When it comes to Rachel VanMeter and Erin Virtue you know what you’re going to get; but it was the lesser-known players who made their statements against the alumni on Saturday.

The play of the young middle blockers has already been questioned by the media. But that group stepped up all night and put smiles on the faces of all the fans who were nervous about how head coach Don Hardin had reloaded after last year. In the past few years the Illini have been moving toward making their team more athletic and this year’s middle makes that point evident. Meghan MacDonald and Jen Hynds are filling in for two very accomplished players – Lisa Argabright and Shelly O’Bryan – who graduated.

“They were just amazing last year,” Hynds said. “There is a lot of pressure this year to step in and fill their shoes. We have been working really hard in practice to step up to the challenge.”

From the looks of Saturday’s exhibition, the two might not only fill their shoes, but expand them. Coach Hardin has been flirting with the unorthodox idea of playing Hynds, a middle blocker, in the back row because of her athletic ability.

“I played the back row in high school,” Hynds said. “I can play there if that’s what is best for the team. We are still trying to find what combinations give us the best team chemistry.”

Last year Hynds was a mystery because she had been held out with a shoulder and bicep injury for the entire year. She says she feels

100 percent, and even with two screws still lodged in her shoulder, could be a serious force for the Illini.

With the bionic woman (Hynds) finding her groove at all spots on the court, it was the familiar outside hitters, VanMeter and senior Jessica Belter that were getting the kills.

VanMeter led all scorers with 15 kills, while Belter tallied nine in two games. The Illini easily beat the alumni, winning the three games 30-25, 30-17 and 30-21.

“I was happy with the effort tonight,” Hardin said. “We looked seasoned out there. We started out a little rough but I think that might be indicative of the season. We are not as experienced so we might start off a little rough with mishaps and such but end up playing great volleyball if we can stay healthy.”

Rasa Virsilaite finished the night with 11 kills and played well enough to fend off the competition at outside hitter. Although Virsilaite was steady, the play of the night might have been the flash of power from true freshman Vicki Brown.

“She took her first swing tonight,” Hardin said. “And she almost loosened up one of the floorboards.”

The pieces of the puzzle are falling into place. With most of the veterans back and assuming their usually crisp roles, the underclassmen development has the team excited about the possibilities.

Hardin is testing his athletes, using the different strengths to find a dangerous combination for the year. Unfortunately for the alumni, the testing was done at their expense.