Illinois volleyball (7-10, 2-5) fell in four sets to the Ohio State Buckeyes (7-9, 4-3) despite a monster performance from senior outside hitter Raina Terry. Terry put up a career-high 28 kills on the night, which was not enough to overcome the Buckeyes.
The loss marked the third straight loss of the season for the Illini. The losses include back-to-back straight-set losses versus No. 15 Purdue and No. 1 Wisconsin and now this loss to Ohio State.
The sets were tightly contested between the two teams, with three out of the four sets decided by three points or less. Seven points was the difference in the one set Illinois won on the night.
Senior outside hitter Emily Londot finished the game with 22 kills against the Illini while sophomore outside hitter Chelsea Thorpe was second for the Buckeyes with 10 kills on the night. Terry also added 64 attacks on top of her 28 kills for the Illini.
Another Illini standout was fifth-year outside hitter Jessica Nunge. Nunge had 11 kills in the game, as well as 30 attacks.
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Ohio State went on a series of runs each set to push it over the top versus Illinois. In the first set after the Buckeyes took a timeout while the Illini led 20-18, the Buckeyes went on a 4-0 run to take the lead and the set.
In set three the Buckeyes went on another 4-0 run that put the Illini down 11-10. Despite Illinois going on a 5-0 run of its own, it would not be enough to take set three, as the visitors trailed 2-1 in the match.
While Illinois was on said 5-0 run, Terry posted three straight kills on the court. This run and show of dominance forced the Buckeyes to take a timeout while Illinois led in the set.
The fourth set saw the Illini take an 18-14 lead following a 3-0 run. Despite this, Ohio State would not back down and put up five straight points and would see the final three points going to the Buckeyes. Thus, the Buckeyes took the set and the match overall.
The contest itself was a back-and-forth battle between the two teams. In set one alone, there were 11 ties and seven lead changes between the two programs.
Errors were a factor on both sides of the net. Illinois committed 11 errors in the game while Ohio State made eight.
The Illini will look to bounce back from this three-game skid this Sunday as they take on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at 1 p.m. (9-8 overall, 1-6 conference). The game will be broadcast on BIG+.
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