Four sweeps in the last five games, a five-match losing streak and a 1-5 ranked record are what Illinois (12-10, 7-6) goes into Sunday’s game with. After soaring to start conference play 7-1, Illinois’ season has derailed. Illinois has struggled to find momentum, and when it has, it has often been too late. Now, it hosts No. 25 Penn State (13-10, 7-6) Sunday.
Sunday is also the Huff Hall Centennial Celebration game, an event that celebrates 100 years of one of the Big Ten’s most iconic sporting venues. The Illini have lost their last three games at home, and fans in attendance will be hoping to be part of a win this weekend.
Loud lions
Penn State is on a three-game losing streak, with its most recent loss coming against No. 9 Purdue on Friday. The Nittany Lions have been swept in the last two games. While they boast a decent 8-5 home record, they have a 3-3 record on the road.
Offense is the name of the game for Penn State. It is an aggressive team and has 1,192 kills, 150 more than Illinois, in just one more match. It has done this at a hitting percentage of 0.247 with 13.4 kills per set. Junior opposite Kennedy Martin spearheads the powerful offense.
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Martin has registered a team-leading 450 kills at a staggering 5.29 kills per set and a hitting percentage of 0.309. As of Friday, she has the eighth-most kills in Division I. The Florida native also leads the team in service aces (35). It will be critical for Illinois’ chances that its defenders can reduce Martin’s output.
Other than offense, the Nittany Lions have recorded more service aces, digs and blocks than Illinois.
What does Illinois need?
Illinois’ hitting percentage this season is 0.224. But, on this losing streak, it has hit at a percentage below 0.200. Its offensive output has dropped, with no player getting to double-digit kills in the recent loss to No. 1 Nebraska. Sunday’s match starts a three-game home stand, and Illinois will want to start strong.
Continuing a recurring theme, Illinois severely needs blocking to return to its gameplay. This season, when they have recorded eight or more blocks, the Illini have an 8-3 record. And to combat Penn State’s fiery offense, defense will be key for Illinois.
Huff Hall Centennial
Illinois played a volleyball match at Huff Hall for the first time in 1990. Since then, the team has made 23 NCAA tournament appearances, including one runner-up and a Final Four appearance. Head coach Chris Tamas and several players have talked about the significance of Huff Hall time and again. They have talked about the energy and driving force of Huff Hall. The team needs that and more right now.
Whole lot of season left
Sunday’s match is the first of Illinois’ remaining four ranked matches. These four clashes will most likely determine Illinois’ chances for the NCAA tournament. There are a lot of matches yet to be played. The Illini need wins, and they need them now. With the Nittany Lions on a losing streak as well, Sunday gives one of the teams a chance to break free.
