CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois volleyball took down Illinois State in a four-set battle at Huff Hall on Sunday afternoon.
The Fighting Illini improved to 3-1 on the year while the Redbirds remain winless this season.
As a team, Illinois hit .353 in the match with 49 kills and 41 assists. The team added 50 digs with 13 total blocks during the four-set victory
Individually, Brooke Mosher posted her second double-double of the year, logging 37 assists and 16 digs, pacing the squad in both categories. Outside hitters Kayla Burbage and Raina Terry led the way with 14 kills each while middle blockers Kennedy Collins and Cari Bohm tallied a team-high six blocks each.
How it happened
The Illini began the contest hot, posting a five-point run, including an ace from Lily Barry. The team continued to cruise and another ace, this time from Collins, led to an Illinois State timeout with the Orange and Blue ahead, 11-4. ISU added a 4-0 rally late in the opening frame tying the set at 23 apiece, but back-to-back errors from Illinois State gave the Illini the 25-23 victory to start the day.
The Redbirds held all the momentum the second frame, taking an early 3-0 to start the set. The Illini continued to struggle, with a 4-0 run for Illinois State increasing the 17-10 deficit. The Fighting Illini cut the ISU lead to four, but ultimately dropped the second set 25-20.
Looking to rebound in the third set, Illinois held the early 5-1 edge following a kill by Mosher. A 5-0 run that included a pair of kills form Collins helped Illinois build on its 16-11 advantage. The Illini continued to dominate scoring four of the final five points, including an ace by Barry on set point to give Illinois the 25-18 win in the third frame.
A back-and-forth battle commenced in the fourth set with the Illini holding the slight 15-14 edge at the media break. Three-straight kills by Burbage gave Illinois the 19-16 advantage and back-to-back blocks from Bohm and Sarah Bingham increased the Illini advantage to five. A Terry and Collins roof gave the Orange and Blue match point and Terry sealed the 25-20 victory with a kill.
Notes
- Starters: Brooke Mosher, Raina Terry, Sarah Bingham, Kennedy Collins, Vanessa Pan, Cari Bohm and Lily Barry
- The Illini wore long sleeveless white jerseys, moving to 2-0 while donning those.
- Terry logged an ace to hold sole possession of eighth all-time in the Illini record books with 132 for her career.
- The four-set match marked the Illini's second of its kind this year.
- The Illini never trailed during the first or third set.
- Illinois has posted double-digit blocks in all three home matches.
- Attendance Sunday afternoon was called at 2,744.
