BOULDER, Colo. – No. 19 Illinois fell in straight sets to weekend host Colorado from the CU Events Center on Saturday. The Illini's opener in the Pac-12/Big Ten Challenge saw 33 ties and 13 lead changes across the match.
Illinois was first on the board in the opening set but the Illini would be in for a fight as the frame saw 22 ties and 11 lead changes. The Orange and Blue called for the set's lone timeout trailing 19-18 and would flip the score in their favor at 20-19. A CU service error gave Illinois a 25-24 lead but the Buffaloes followed with a 3-0 run to clinch the set, 27-25.
The Illini opened second-set action with a 2-0 lead but action would stay even out to 10-10 before Colorado took its first lead at 11-10. CU would post a 3-0 run to force an Illinois timeout at 14-11. The Illini took their second timeout of the set trailing 21-14. From the stoppage, the Illini and Buffaloes traded points to the 25-18 final score, giving Colorado a 2-0 lead in the set.
Out of the break, Illinois went with a 6-2 setter system for the first time of the season with Diana Brown and Brooke Mosher sharing the duties. The Illini jumped out to an 12-7 lead, forcing a timeout by the Buffs. From there, Colorado responded with a 3-0 run to pull within 13-11 before a block assist from Jessica Nunge and Kyla Swanson ended the run and gave Illinois a three-point cushion. The Buffaloes would end the match on an 8-1 run to secure a 25-22 third set win.
The Illini used a distributed attack with Burbage leading the way with 10 kills followed by Raina Terry at nine, Jessica Nunge with eight, Rylee Hinton at five and Kyla Swanson with five. Illinois operated at a .185 hitting clip on the match.
Diana Brown distributed 27 assists and added 10 digs for her second double double of the season and 42nd of her career.
Illinois finished with four aces – two coming off Terry's serve and one each from Swanson and Mosher.
Hinton led the way for the Illini with four blocks while Nunge got in on two.
The Illini will close out Pac-12/Big Ten Challenge action on Sunday with a tilt against No. 14 Washington at noon CT.
Notes:
- Starters: Rylee Hinton, Kayla Burbage, Diana Brown, Kyla Swanson, Caroline Barnes, Raina Terry and Jessica Nunge.
- Diana Brown secured her second double double of the season with 27 assists and 10 digs. She's up to 42 across her career.
- The Illini wore long sleeve blue jerseys for the first time of the season.
- Illinois is 5-7 all-time against Colorado and 0-3 now all-time in Boulder.
