CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Big Ten announced the 2022 conference volleyball schedule on Tuesday (June 14) morning. The Big Ten will be again competing in a 20-match conference schedule, with the Illini playing seven teams both home and away and six teams once (three home and three away).

Here is the breakdown of Illinois' opponents for the 2022 Big Ten schedule:
Home & Away – Maryland, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Penn State, Rutgers, Wisconsin
Home Only – Iowa, Nebraska, Purdue
Away Only – Indiana, Michigan, Ohio State

The Illini begin their quest for a Big Ten Championship with a three-match homestand in Huff Hall against Maryland on September 23, Northwestern on September 24 and Purdue on September 30, before heading to Wisconsin on October 2 for their first conference road trip of the season. Illinois then wraps up league play, as well as the 2022 regular season, with a road trip to Northwestern on November 26.

The Illini are coming off of a 22-12 season in 2021, posting a 12-8 mark in the Big Ten and ranked No. 16 in the final AVCA Division I Coaches Top 25 Poll. Illinois made its third NCAA Regional and fourth NCAA Tournament appearance in five seasons under head coach Chris Tamas after back-to-back wins to open the 2021 NCAA tournament, including a four-set win over 2020-21 National Champion and No. 7 seed Kentucky in Lexington.

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