A team learns a lot about itself between its first and second games of the season. Following a season-opening defeat Friday, Illinois (1-1) learned resiliency in a comeback win against an upstart Vanderbilt (1-2) program.
In the final match of the Broadway Block Party at Bridgestone Arena, the Illini started slow and fell behind early. As the match progressed, they found their stride and took three consecutive sets to snatch the victory from the Commodores.
Off on the wrong foot
Illinois looked shaky during the first set, but a few Vanderbilt errors kept things close for a short time. After both teams traded brief service runs, including a 3-0 run from graduate student middle blocker Kayla Burbage, the Commodores took over quickly.
Vanderbilt went on a 10-2 run behind three kills from junior outside hitter Kamryn Chaney, which put it in front 15-11 at the media timeout. The run did not stop there, as Illinois only managed one point before head coach Chris Tamas called a timeout.
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After the timeout, the Illini showcased better blocking. However, Vanderbilt took the first set 25-20.
Turning point
Illinois’ momentum continued into the second set. Junior setter Kenna Phelan led the suddenly-strong Illini to a 17-8 lead.
Phelan recorded 11 assists in the set along with a kill, while Burbage and redshirt sophomore outside hitter Taylor de Boer each had three kills. The Illini also got more kills in transition, which was a struggle in the first set.
Illinois showed persistence after Vanderbilt stormed back to cut the 11-point lead to just four. Burbage recorded the first Illini ace serve of the match. Sophomore middle blocker Ashlyn Philpot followed with back-to-back kills before de Boer finished the deal with a kill of her own.
Spiking Vandy’s hopes
de Boer dominated the third and fourth sets, coming away with 11 kills and one block across the two. She finished the night with a career-high 17 kills, leading the way for the Illini. The Commodores had no answer for her left perimeter attack.
The third set carried the most drama. Redshirt sophomore opposite Auburn Tomkinson brought Illinois to set point with her seventh kill. Two points later, Chaney thought she had a service ace to tie the score at 24 for Vanderbilt. Upon review, the ball landed barely out of bounds, and the call was reversed.
The Illini didn’t look back after that and ran away with the fourth set.
Phelan took charge one more time, registering her third kill to bring up match point. In total, Phelan recorded 37 assists in the match. It was fitting that she assisted Tomkinson’s eighth and final kill to finalize the decisive 25-15 score and 3-1 comeback win.
Tough road ahead
The Illini’s next test will be against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (1-1) on Friday in South Bend, Indiana.
