Illinois (2-1) executed a comeback victory Friday night to build a two-game winning streak. Facing Notre Dame (1-2), Illinois found itself down 1-2 after the first three sets. A resilient showing in the fourth and fifth sets gave the Illini a 3-2 win in South Bend, Indiana.
Too close for comfort
Tied 7-7 in the first set, the Illini gave up a 6-0 Fighting Irish run. The Illini trailed by as many as eight points, nearly clawing their way back in. However, they couldn’t counter the Fighting Irish offense. Junior setter Kenna Phelan continued her exceptional run with assists on eight of Illinois’ 14 offensive points in the set.
The second set had a similar story, with roles reversed. After an up-and-down start, the scoreline read 9-8 Fighting Irish. Now, it was Illinois’ turn to put a run together. The Illini rattled off a 5-0 streak powered by Phelan and sophomore middle blocker Ashlyn Philpot, hinting at a potential Illinois resurgence. Philpot mounted two kills and a block during the run.
The pendulum swung both ways. This time, Notre Dame didn’t have an answer for a scoring run. The game was tied at one set apiece, poised for an exciting conclusion.
Get The Daily Illini in your inbox!
Notre Dame jumped out to a 17-11 lead in the third set and showed Illinois that it’s hard to win back-to-back sets. With the Fighting Irish up 22-15, Illini head coach Chris Tamas called a timeout.
Illinois fought back into things with a 6-0 run before Notre Dame regained control and claimed the set 25-22. The Illini now needed to win the final two sets to take the match.
Full throttle
The Illini grabbed the momentum early in the fourth set with a 5-0 run. This run consisted of two service aces by redshirt sophomore opposite Auburn Tomkinson. A 6-2 lead ballooned to 14-7 and gave Illinois a cushion, even as the team committed several errors toward the end of the set.
Tied 2-2, the game came down to the fifth set. Illinois jumped out to a 5-1 lead, forcing three Notre Dame errors to grab the early advantage. Phelan again contributed with a series of assists, maintaining Illinois’ stronghold on the match. A match point kill from redshirt sophomore outside hitter Taylor de Boer completed the comeback victory.
Teamwork
Various Illini put up strong numbers in the win. Philpot led the team with 17 kills and a 0.556 hit percentage. She registered seven blocks, helping the team on offense and defense.
Phelan continued her stellar play at the setter position with her third consecutive game of 37-plus assists. With 45 assists and 11 digs, the junior posted her first double-double of the season. Also, she led the team with three service aces.
Tomkinson maintained her growth, posting a career-best 14 kills alongside two blocks and service aces. Freshman outside hitter Alyssa Aguayo and de Boer rounded out Illinois’ offensive lineup. Aguayo recorded three blocks and five digs; de Boer put up two blocks and three digs.
Ranked matchup
Louisville, Kentucky, is Illinois’ road trip’s next stop, where it will face No. 3 Louisville (3-0) on Sunday. Poised to be Illinois’ toughest matchup yet, Sunday afternoon will test this roster’s every strength.
