Illinois volleyball (3-0) is off to a hot start, with its most recent win coming over Illinois State in three sets to one. Illinois’ 3-0 start is the first time the program has begun this well since 2021.
Illinois had three players put up 10 plus kills against Illinois State during the four-set win. Junior outside hitter Averie Hernandez, graduate student outside hitter Raina Terry and freshman middle blocker Ashlyn Philpot all had 10 or more kills against Illinois State.
“I love a good slide, but I think what was working was just working to get up every time and being available so I could help spread the offense,” Philpot said.
The Greenville, NC native had 11 kills on 18 attacks including one dig and 10 blocks. Philpot currently averages 2.33 blocks per set, which is tied for third-best in the NCAA. Philpot’s 11-kill and 10-block performance is her first double-double of her collegiate career.
Hernandez led the team in kills with 12 on 37 attacks, also putting up seven digs and four blocks. Terry put up 11 kills off 30 attacks while also having four service aces, six digs and three blocks.
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“It was really exciting. Illinois State is where I’m from, so kind of a heart-to-heart win,” Hernadez said. “They’re a great team, and I think we stayed with them.”
The last time Illinois won its first three games was a few years back when the team went 22-12 and finished the season with a loss in the third round of the NCAA tournament against No. 10 Nebraska. Head coach Chris Tamas now sits 3-2 against Illinois State during his head coaching tenure at Illinois.
“We like to keep this an annual thing. We can just keep traveling back and forth,” Tamas said. “We’re both down the road within 50 minutes of each other. Both of our fans travel when we play each other.”
Illinois jumped to a hot start during the first set with a kill from redshirt sophomore middle blocker Cari Bohm to help put Illinois up 8-4. Illinois continued to dominate the set, going up 16-5 before Illinois State burned its timeout. Terry helped keep the set out of reach with back-to-back kills to help push the set to 21-10.
Illinois took set one with a score of 25-13, but Illinois State did not go away quietly as both teams went neck-and-neck with points until Illinois had to use a timeout while being tied at nine a piece. After falling behind 21-19, Illinois burned another timeout, but Illinois State pushed ahead to win the set 25-20.
“We let our energy go a little bit in the second set,” Philpot said. “We came together in that huddle and made sure that we all really played together.”
Both teams battled hard, neck-and-neck in both sets three and four, but Illinois prevailed in the end. Illinois won sets three and four, 25-18. Illinois continues this weekend in the Cyclone Invitational.
Illinois will face Toledo this Friday for game one of the invitational at 4 p.m. The game will be played on ESPN+. Illinois continues the invitational against Iowa State and Wake Forest on Saturday and Sunday.
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