In front of 2,967 energized fans at Huff Hall, Illinois (8-5, 3-1) fired on all cylinders to take down Michigan State (12-2, 2-2) in the annual Pink Match. For just the second time this season, the match went down to the wire.
The 13th match of the season for the Illini had everything, from extended sets to a triple block to a long run to put away the game.
Test of attrition
For the first time since its win over Notre Dame, Illinois reached the fifth set in a match. When a match goes all the way, it tests athletes performing at their highest level. In this game, Illinois picked up the pace as the points mounted on the scoreboard.
“I thought we played better as the match went on,” said head coach Chris Tamas. “I would have liked to have a better start, but as the match went on … you got to figure out the puzzle, and I thought we did a good job of doing that.”
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Redshirt sophomore outside hitter Taylor de Boer said that, while Huff Hall does get hot during long matches, they are conditioned for when home games go all the way.
“Mentally, on a five-set match, we know we didn’t end the fourth set how we wanted to,” de Boer said. “So, we wanted to make a statement in the fifth.”
Blocking machine
The Illini blocked plenty of Spartan swings. It was difficult for anyone in a green jersey to get an attack past graduate middle blocker Kayla Burbage, who registered six blocks on the day. She says the blocking group gelled over time and has made a name for itself.
“We have to kind of move as a unit,” Burbage said. “It helps just having that connection from over the summer and then through preseason … but I think that would probably be the biggest win for us tonight.”
Redshirt sophomore opposite Auburn Tomkinson was also up in Michigan State’s business, denying them five times at the net with authority. Meanwhile, junior setter Kenna Phelan leaped high for three big-time blocks. This included a triple combo block with de Boer and sophomore middle blocker Ashlyn Philpot — who also registered three blocks — late in the fourth set.
Staying alive and aggressive
That triple block made the score 23-22 and led to Spartans head coach Kristen Kelsay calling a timeout. From there, pandemonium ensued. On match point, with the Illini up by one, senior outside hitter Averie Hernandez served into the net, followed immediately by a Spartans block to flip the set on its head.
Michigan State reached set point twice in the following plays, but Tomkinson was not having it. Her presence on the right outside pen was felt, and she swung for two big kills to keep Illinois alive. However, the third time was the charm for the Spartans, as they took the set, 28-26.
“It’s just a matter of executing a little bit better,” Tamas said. “I thought we could have closed out the fourth. I thought there were too many errors at the end that were avoidable, but that’s the way it is.”
The fifth set was where the Illini took advantage of a fatigued Spartans unit. A service error put junior setter Vivian Campbell on the service line. The Illini followed with an 8-0 run, highlighted by three kills from freshman outside hitter Alyssa Aguayo, leading to a decisive 15-5 victory.
Killer offense
Those three kills in set five from Aguayo were just a fraction of her 18 kills, a new career high. Another career-high achievement was that of Phelan, who registered a whopping 57 assists.
In the middle, Philpot got 13 kills on 18 swings, being the most efficient arm for the Illini. Burbage also spiked 11 kills from the middle, with an efficient hitting percentage of .476. Neither of them missed much with their powerful swings.
Another Illini with 18 kills was de Boer. This offensive clinic is the latest in a series of matches where she has taken the opposition to the cleaners. She was proud of her team’s balanced offensive attack and said that was the difference in the match.
“I think it’s really hard to stop a team when everyone’s going,” de Boer said. “It was a whole team effort, and that just makes my job a little easier.”
