Illinois volleyball (2-0) went back-to-back nights with straight-set sweep victories in the Best Western Invitational against Bowling Green. Illinois posted a strong performance in kills, hitting 34, led by graduate student outside hitter Raina Terry (11).

Junior outside hitter Averie Hernandez had a familiar face on the other side of the net as she faced her sister, freshman defensive specialist Sydnie Hernandez, for the first time in their career. Hernandez posted a six-kill, two-block and two-ace performance against Bowling Green.

“I think we scout everyone equally, we prepared for Bowling Green really well,” Hernandez said. “It’s obviously fun to play my sister, knowing she was playing crazy, but yeah, I think we were really just focused on our side.”

Illinois started the game hot in the first set, going up 3-0, with an ace that came from sophomore setter Vivian Campbell helping push the score to 9-4. Campbell was one of five Illinois players to have an ace in the match, and the team totaled 12.

Both teams had a back-and-forth set before a timeout from head coach Chris Tamas, where Illinois held a 16-13 lead. Illinois continued to roll in the set, finishing it off at 25-19.

“I thought we did a nice job from the service line, and I thought as the match went on, they cranked up the pressure from the service line, too,” Tamas said. “We gotta be able to withhold those runs from there, and I thought we did a nice job.”

Campbell continued to help the offense behind the line hold a 10-5 lead before Bowling Green called a timeout. Bowling Green continued to fight back, but it was a service ace from redshirt junior Brooke Mosher that helped keep the lead for Illinois in set two by five points. Hernandez pushed Illinois to the top of the set with the final kill, pushing Illinois to win the set 25-18.

Bowling Green began set three up by leading 2-0, but Illinois responded by going on a 3-0 run, including an ace from Mosher and a kill from redshirt sophomore middle blocker Cari Bohm. Illinois led Bowling Green 12-10 before Bowling Green burned a timeout on the set.

Illinois scored the final three points to finish out the game and pushed them to the win 25-21. Illinois continues its season against an in-state opponent, Illinois State, at home in Huff Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 3. The game will be live on Big Ten+, with the first hit at 7 p.m.

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