Photographer: Heather Coit

Illinois' Erin Johnson (12) joins Alexis Viliunas (8) and their teammates in celebrating their win Northwestern after five sets at Huff Hall in Champaign on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Illinois' Erin Johnson (12) smacks the ball back to Northwestern in the first set at Huff Hall in Champaign on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Illinois coach Kevin Hambly gathers his team in a timeout during the first set against Northwestern at Huff Hall in Champaign on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Illinois' Alexis Viliunis (8) watches as teammate Jennifer Beltran (3) bumps the ball in the first set against Northwestern at Huff Hall in Champaign on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Illinois' Liz McMahon (14) and Anna Dorn (5) defend the net against Northwestern's Stephanie Holthus (1) and Katie Dutchman (14) in the second set at Huff Hall in Champaign on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Illinois' Jocelynn Birks (7) calls the bump as teammate Alexis Viliunas (8) looks on in the first set against Northwestern in the first set at Huff Hall in Champaign on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Illinois' Anna Dorn (5) tries to smack the ball back to Northwestern in the second set at Huff Hall in Champaign on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012.

Photographer: Heather Coit

The Orange Krush help get the crowd on their feet before the start of Illinois' match against Northwestern at Huff Hall in Champaign on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Illinois' Jocelynn Birks (7) celebrates her point against Northwestern with teammate Anna Dorn (5) at the start of the fifth set at Huff Hall in Champaign on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012. The Illini won the match.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Illinois Jocelynn Birks (7) is all smiles with her teammates as they prepare to take on Northwestern in the fifth set and defeat the Wildcats at Huff Hall in Champaign on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Illinois' Jocelynn Birks (7) smacks the ball over the net as Northwestern defends at the start of the fifth set at Huff Hall in Champaign on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Illinois' Alexis Viliunis (8) sets the ball as Northwestern's Stephanie Holthus (1) looks on in the third set at Huff Hall in Champaign on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Illinois' Liz McMahon (14) bumps the ball in the third set against Northwestern at Huff Hall in Champaign on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Illinois's Julia Conrad (2), Alexis Viliunas (8) and Jennifer Beltran (3) celebrate another point in the fourth set against Northwestern at Huff Hall in Champaign on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012. The Illini won the match.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Illinois' Ali Stark (13) tries to defend the net against Northwestern as Illinois teammates, Erin Johnson (12), Jennifer Beltran (3) and Alexis Viliunas (8) look on in the third set at Huff Hall in Champaign on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Illinois' Ali Stark (13) smacks the ball over the net to Northwestern in the fifth set at Huff Hall in Champaign on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012.