Illinois volleyball has started a new winning streak as they brought home a win over UIC on Tuesday in Chicago. The Illini won three out of the four sets which puts them at a season record of 4-1 while the Flames hold a 5-2 season record. Illinois hit .371 for the match and recorded 61 kills. Defensively, the team posted 55 digs and nine total blocks.
The Illini were led by head coach Chris Tamas and their starting lineup featuring graduate middle Kennedy Collins, freshman libero Lily Barry, sophomore middle Sarah Bingham, senior outside hitter Raina Terry, graduate libero Vanessa Pan, freshman middle Cari Bohm and sophomore setter Brooke Mosher.
Mosher secured her third double-double of the year, racking up a career-high of 42 assists and 14 digs. Terry accumulated 22 kills for the 12th 20-kill performance of her career and second this season. Additionally, Barry posted a team-high of 17 digs, and Collins totaled six blocks during the four-set victory. Junior libero Caroline Barnes also made her season debut coming off the bench in the match.
Set one was a close match between the two teams. UIC led the set while the Illini were fighting to take the ball back. Terry was able to execute a kill against UIC which helped Illinois to gain their momentum back. However, the set ended 23-25 with UIC winning.
But, this was just the beginning for the Illini. Set two started off with Illinois in the lead which included an ace by Barry. The Illini continued to dominate, and a kill by fifth year outside hitter Jessica Nunge sealed the 25-12 win in the second set.
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With each team winning one set, tensions were high by set three. Illinois won the first point with a kill by Bingham. A back and forth point rally went between the two teams with Illinois behind by one by the media break. A kill by junior hitter Kayla Burbage tied the score just after the break which set Illinois up to win the set 25-18.
Set four opened strongly for Illinois with Pan scoring an ace as the opening serve. Burbage gave Illinois the match point with a kill, and Terryʼs 22nd kill of the game secured the 25-17 fourth set victory.
Illinois will head to South Bend, Indiana where they will play against Notre Dame on Thursday at 6 p.m. Fans can look forward to an exciting game where the Illini will look to continue their winning streak.
