MINNEAPOLIS – Illinois dropped its ranked road match to #20 Minnesota in straight sets on Wednesday night at Maturi Pavilion.
Taylor de Boer tallied her 11th straight outing with double-digit kills, finishing with a team-most 13 kills while swinging at a .346 clip. She also had two blocks, including a solo stuff.
Kenna Phelan posted her sixth double-double of the season with 18 assists and 10 digs while also adding two kills.
Averie Hernandez accumulated five kills, seven digs, and two assists, while Taryn Kirsch totaled nine digs, three assists, and the first two aces of her collegiate career.
Kenzie Cogan collected seven digs, three assists, and two aces. Kayla Burbage notched a team-most three blocks, also tacking on two kills.
The sides traded points early in the first set, though the Golden Gophers grabbed a 10-7 advantage following a 4-1 run. The Illini responded with a 4-1 scoring stretch of their own shortly after, tying the frame at 14, before briefly taking a one-point advantage. Minnesota pulled back in front by two, but the Orange and Blue answered by evening the set at 21. The home side went back ahead and moved to set point, eventually taking the opener, 26-24.
With the Illini narrowly in front early in the second set, the hosts used a 13-1 run to establish a double-digit edge. Leading the rest of the way, the Golden Gophers claimed a dominant 25-12 decision in the second frame.
Minnesota again stormed out to a big lead in the third set, holding a 17-8 advantage after the Illini used their second timeout of the frame. With the home side lengthening its lead to double digits, 20-10, the Orange and Blue began their comeback attempt. An 11-1 Illinois scoring stretch evened the frame at 21, but the Golden Gophers took four of the final five points of the night en route to the sweep.
NOTES
- Taryn Kirsch totaled nine digs, three assists, and two aces.
- Had at least nine digs for the 12th time this season.
- Has 9+ digs in each of the last three matches.
- Registered the first two aces of her collegiate career.
- Taylor de Boer finished with 13 kills while swinging at a .346 clip and making two blocks.
- Had double-digit kills for the 18th time this season.
- Has 10+ kills in all 11 Big Ten matches and in 13 of her last 14 appearances overall.
- Has at least one block in 10 of the Illini's 11 conference matches.
- Tallied her fourth solo block of the season.
- Kenna Phelan posted a double-double with 18 assists and 10 digs.
- Logged her sixth double-double of the season and the 12th of her career.
- Had double-digit digs for the sixth time this season.
- Averie Hernandez accumulated five kills, seven digs, and two assists.
- Had at least five kills for the third time this season.
- Her five kills were her most in a conference match this season.
- Kenzie Cogan collected seven digs, three assists, and two aces.
- Equaled her career-high with three assists.
- Posted multiple aces for the fifth time this season.
- Ava Wysocki registered the first kill of her collegiate career.
- Head coach Chris Tamas moved to 161-102 overall during his time at the helm of the Illini.
- Illinois moved to 39-47-1 all-time against Minnesota.
- The Illini are now 6-4 in three-set matches this season.
- Illinois is now 7-3 in true road matches this season.
- The Illini moved to 4-1 when wearing navy sleeveless jerseys.
UP NEXT
Illinois (12-8, 7-4 B1G) hosts Iowa at Huff Hall on Sunday afternoon for its Women Win in Orange match. First serve between the Fighting Illini and the Hawkeyes is set for 1 p.m. on B1G+.
