LOS ANGELES – Illinois dropped a five-set thriller on the road against UCLA at Pauley Pavilion on Thursday night.
The Fighting Illini won the first and third frames but fell short in the final two sets against the Bruins away from home.
Auburn Tomkinson marked her return to her home state with a career-high 18 kills. She also tacked on four blocks and made two digs.
Alyssa Aguayo secured her 10th double-double of the season with 11 kills and 17 digs. She added two blocks and an ace.
Kenna Phelan posted her third double-double in the last four matches with 49 assists and 14 digs, also notching four blocks, two kills, and an ace.
Taryn Kirsch totaled a career-high 24 digs and six assists, while Kenzie Cogan collected 11 digs.
Taylor de Boer tallied nine kills and three digs, while Ashlyn Philpot finished with eight kills and five blocks.Â
Gabby Dean registered six kills, a career-high five blocks, and a dig, and Averie Hernandez accumulated seven kills, nine digs, an ace, and a block.
NOTES
- Auburn Tomkinson marked her return to her home state with 18 kills, four blocks, and two digs.
- Set a new career-high with 18 kills.
- Posted 10+ kills for the ninth time this season/in her career.
- Had at least four blocks for the sixth time.
- Taryn Kirsch totaled a career-high 24 digs and six assists.
- Recorded a career-high 24 digs.
- Posted 20+ digs for the third time in her career.
- Has 10+ digs in 14 matches this season.
- Has double-digit digs in four straight appearances.
- Logged at least six assists for the fifth time.
- Kenna Phelan posted 49 assists, 14 digs, four blocks, two kills, and an ace.
- Notched her ninth double-double of the season.
- Has a double-double in three of the last four matches.
- Made at least four blocks for the fifth time.
- Has 4+ blocks in three of the last four matches.
- Averie Hernandez accumulated seven kills, nine digs, an ace, and a block.
- Equaled her season-high with seven kills.
- Kenzie Cogan collected 11 digs.
- Equaled her career-high with 11 digs.
- Had double-digit digs for the third time in her career.
- Gabby Dean registered six kills, five blocks, and a dig.
- Equaled her career-high with six kills.
- Has six kills in two of the last three matches.
- Set a new career-best with five blocks.
- Has multiple blocks in each of her last five outings.
- Ashlyn Philpot finished with eight kills and five blocks.
- Has at least five blocks on nine occasions this season.
- Made her 12th solo block of the year.
- Has 5+ blocks in three of the last four matches.
- Alyssa Aguayo secured a double-double with 11 kills and 17 digs while adding two blocks and an ace.
- Tallied her 10th double-double of the season.
- Had 10+ kills for the 18th time.
- Had 10+ digs for the 11th time.
- Made multiple blocks for the ninth time this season.
- The Illini's 191 attacks marked a new season-high.
- Illinois' 82 digs against the Bruins are its most this season.
- The Illini's 82 digs are their most since posting 83 in a five-set win at Rutgers on Oct. 29, 2021.
- The Illini finished with 11.0 blocks as a team, its seventh outing with 10+ stuffs.
- Head coach Chris Tamas moved to 162-107 overall during his time at the helm of the Illini.
- Illinois moved to 0-13 all-time against UCLA.
- Thursday marked the Fighting Illini's first-ever true road match against the Bruins.
- The Illini are now 2-2 in five-set matches this season.
- Illinois is now 7-5 in true road matches this season.
- The Illini moved to 1-1 when wearing anthracite jerseys.
UP NEXT
Illinois (13-13, 8-9 B1G) remains in Los Angeles for its final road match of the regular season on Saturday against #16 USC. First serve between the Fighting Illini and the Trojans is set for 6 p.m. CT on B1G+.
