UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Illinois dropped a match in straight set to #4 Penn State at Rec Hall on Friday night.
The Fighting Illini fell to 17-8 this year with a 9-6 Big Ten record. The ranked Nittany Lions improved 24-2 overall with a 14-1 conference mark.
As a team, the Orange and Blue tallied 38 kills while hitting .222 for the match. Raina Terry led the way offensively with 19 kills and a .500 hitting percentage.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Illinois started the match hot, scoring the first four points. The Nittany Lions did not go away quietly, taking a 10-9 lead after the Illini allowed a 4-0 rally. Back-and-forth the teams went, with PSU hanging onto the slight 15-14 advantage at the media break.
Penn State added a five-point turn, putting the Orange and Blue behind, 21-18, but the Illini continued to fight with Averie Hernandez getting the team withing a point following a kill. However, a service error from the Illini ended the opening set defeat, 25-23.
The teams went point-for-point in the second set, but a three-point rally for the Nittany Lions left Illinois in need of a timeout trailing, 12-9. Â The Orange and Blue clawed back, with a Terry kill shortening the deficit to a pair. But the opposition built back it advantage, 19-14, forcing the Illini to use their final timeout. A 5-0 run by Penn State closed out the set, handing Illinois the 25-18 loss.
The Fighting Illini began the third set with a bang, taking the 13-9 lead following a 4-0 run with Christina Martinez Mundo serving. However, the momentum swung in favor of the Nittany Lions, putting Illinois behind, 17-15, following a 4-0 run for the opposition. Back-and-forth the teams battled down the stretch, but the Illini used a timeout down 20-17. Despite best efforts, the Orange and Blue fell in the set, 25-21, closing oput the defeat.
UP NEXT
Illinois remains on the road for a match at #8 Purdue. First serve on Sunday is slated for 4 p.m. on Big Ten Network
NOTES:
- Starters: Raina Terry, Brooke Mosher, Averie Hernandez, Cari Bohm, Ashlyn Philpot, Laynie Smith, and Christina Martinez Mundo.
- The Illini wore anthracite jerseys for the first time this year.
- The Illinois volleyball program is now 13-52 against Penn State.
- Chris Tamas moved to 3-9 all-time against the Nittany Lions.
- Illinois moved to 1-5 against ranked opponents.
- Raina Terry hit 1.000 (6-0-6) in the first set.
- Attendance was called at 3,425.
