Illinois (7-4, 2-0) has been battle-tested from the jump, facing stiff competition on day one. After two victories to open the Big Ten slate, the road does not get any easier. The Illini will head right back on the road to face another top ten opponent: the No. 7 Wisconsin Badgers (9-1, 2-0).
Once they return home, the Michigan State Spartans (11-1, 1-1) will be waiting for them, posing another threat for the Illini. With such a tough weekend ahead, here is what to watch for.
Retaining focus
Head coach Chris Tamas constantly reminds his players how competitive the Big Ten is, and there are no easy games. Whether it is a top-ranked team or someone lower in the standings, he wants his team to prepare for games the same way.
“There’s no wins by transitive properties here,” Tamas said Wednesday. “Because this team beat that team, and because we beat this team, that means we’re gonna beat that team, doesn’t happen that way.”
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While not every Big Ten team has a number next to its name, every game in this conference is an assessment of a team’s construct. Any team is capable of winning against any other team every time it takes the floor.
Here comes ‘de’ Boom
Ever since her comeback from ANCA Vasculitis, a rare autoimmune disease, redshirt sophomore outside hitter Taylor de Boer has made a name for herself. Her story has motivated her to succeed even more this fall.
“ I talk about how I really like to be an aggressive and go-getter player,” de Boer said Wednesday. “Big risks, sometimes big rewards. … I think that’s why I’m so successful, is because I just keep doing it.”
And successful she is — de Boer leads the Illini in kills on the season with 142 and is always thinking about how she can be a threat in all aspects of the game. She continues to be a player to watch for every time the Illini take the floor.
Big-time contribution
Redshirt sophomore opposite Auburn Tomkinson and sophomore middle blocker Ashlyn Philpot stood out over the past week as well. Tomkinson got a ton of swings and did not miss, totaling 20 kills over two matches. Philpot found her shining moment in the middle against No. 13 Purdue, totaling 12 kills.
Illinois is all set with junior setter Kenna Phelan running the offense. Last week, Phelan totaled 66 assists, and the opposites and outside hitters love having her on the floor.
“ (Phelan) is one of the most athletic people I’ve ever played with,” Tomkinson said. “Not only athleticism, like I was saying, but the energy, fight and leadership she brings to the court is unmatched.”
Finding its stride
The Illini have gelled together as one over the first 11 games of the season. Between the first match of the season against South Dakota State and the win over Purdue, Illinois figured out that it has several options on offense. That is important since it makes it tougher for defenses to figure out its schemes.
“You have to keep continuing to up your game,” Tamas said. “Because otherwise teams are just gonna stack up on your best shot and force you to do some other things.”
Going into a tough weekend against two one-loss Big Ten teams, the Illini will need to use those multiple options to their advantage. Tomkinson, de Boer, Philpot and freshman outside hitter Alyssa Aguayo all have the capability to put opponents away. It will be a matter of how both they and their opponents adjust to each other.
