For the second time this season, the Illinois volleyball team was reeling after four straight losses, the latest a crushing five-set defeat at home at the hands of No. 22 Purdue.

But Indiana proved to be the salve for Illinois’ wounds Saturday night, as the Illini (11-13, 5-9 Big Ten) made a step toward righting the ship in a four-set victory against the Hoosiers (11-15, 3-11).

“I think it’s just a good confidence boost, I guess,” senior middle blocker Erin Johnson said.

Illinois, which has struggled opening matches at times this season, jumped on Indiana from the get-go, with the Hoosiers holding their only lead in the first seven points of the set. The Illini attack came out scorching, hitting .389 as a team while the three outside hitters – Jocelynn Birks, Liz McMahon and Ali Stark – combined for 13 kills in the 25-22 win.

“We just talked about coming out strong and staying consistent throughout and attacking and being aggressive, so I think that had a lot to do with it,” Birks said.

The second set brought more of the same. This time, Indiana’s only lead came at 3-2, after which Illinois swiftly seized control behind a similarly balanced attack. The Illini hit a lower percentage, .269, but it was their defense that made the difference, as they held the Hoosier attack to just a .033 hitting efficiency.

Indiana refused to go quietly, though, leading wire-to-wire in the third set to avoid the sweep. After gaining the early advantage, the Hoosiers managed to cling to a slim lead behind five kills and six digs from outside hitter Jordan Haverly. Illinois made several late surges to cut it to two but were unable to get over the hump and close out the match.

“I thought we were playing frantic at times,” head Coach Kevin Hambly said. “We were trying really hard to win. Just trying really hard to win the set. You can’t do that. You have to execute. You have to work real hard to execute.”

In the early going of the fourth set, Indiana appeared poised to send it to a fifth and final set. But down 10-8, Illinois went on a 6-0 run to seize control of the match, ending the set on an extended 17-8 stretch for their first win since mid-October.

Birks led the Illini offensively with a scintillating performance, tallying 23 and only three errors in 51 swings for a .392 hitting percentage, her highest single mark of the season.

“I was just trying to be myself and play as relaxed as I could,” said Birks. “I just got in a groove.”

McMahon chipped in 15 kills of her own, while Illinois held Indiana to a measly .105 hitting percentage on the match. The Illini controlled the net with 15 blocks, including seven in the final set, to hold down the Hoosiers offense. Johnson keyed the block all night, contributing seven block assists and two solo blocks in what was close to a must-win match for Illinois.

“They’re all critical,” Hambly said after the match. “If we didn’t get this one, it’s looking bleak.”

Daniel can be reached at [email protected] and @danielmillermc.