Junior setter Kenna Phelan continued her brilliant season with two strong performances over the weekend. For this, she was named the Big Ten Setter of the Week Monday afternoon. Phelan is the first Illinois (7-4, 2-0) setter to win this award since Diana Brown in 2021.
In Illinois’ Big Ten opening weekend against Oregon (9-3, 0-2) and No. 10 Purdue (10-2, 1-1), Phelan put up 66 assists, 17 digs, two kills, two aces and one block. She averaged 9.4 assists per set and 2.4 digs per set and was critical to the team’s offense firing.
“She’s a firecracker, a real playmaker for us,” said graduate middle blocker Kayla Burbage on Friday. “She does a great job setting up our offense and is tough to defend. She can even take swings herself, which makes her that much more dynamic. We’re just happy to have her.”
Phelan starred against Purdue in her first career Big Ten away game. She recorded 39 assists and 10 digs, getting her fourth double-double of the season. This effort helped the Illini topple the Boilermakers.
The Illini built a three-game winning streak by going 2-0 over the weekend and securing their first top-10 win since 2021. Over these games, 41.8% of Phelan’s sets resulted in a kill, contributing to the Illini’s 14.3 kills per set tally.
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“She’s been great,” said head coach Chris Tamas on Friday. “She’s a true floor captain and general. Her skill set and leadership have been critical for us.”
Phelan continues to lead the team with 392 assists and 16 service aces. With 101 digs, she is second in the team in total digs this season, behind freshman libero Taryn Kirsch. She will be crucial once again as Illinois heads to Madison to face No. 7 Wisconsin (9-1, 2-0) Thursday.
