Another slow start for the Illini cost them in the long run as Illinois lost in five games, 3-2 to Northwestern Friday night. The five game loss dropped Illinois to 1-8 in matches decided in five.

The Illini were without head coach Don Hardin due to a family emergency to be with his father. Assistant coach Kevin Hambly took his place.

Despite taking a 1-0 lead, the offense struggled to get in a rhythm. In games one and two, Illinois hit .035 and .087 respectively as a team. With freshman Hilliary Haen making the start at setter, Illinois went with a change coming out of the intermission. Junior Lizzie Bazzetta got the call and promptly helped lead the offense to a .306 hitting percentage as a team.

“We weren’t in a good rhythm and felt like it was time to make a switch,” Hambly said of the setter switch.

The starting setter position will be a game time decision for the game against the Spartans.

Freshman Laura DeBruler led Illinois with 22 kills along with 18 digs. In her third game back from her foot injury, sophomore Kylie McCulley tallied 17 kills.

In a defensive battle, libero Ashley Edinger led the Illini with 37 digs. As a whole, the team had 108 in the game compared to the Wildcat’s 84 to go along with 12 team blocks. The blocking game has been a work in progress this season.

“It’s something we focus on a lot and we’re getting better steadily,” Hambly said. “It’s a different blocking game from high school to college, and it takes some time to catch on.”

The Illini will need a quick turnaround as they welcome Michigan State to Huff Hall, Saturday at 7 p.m.