NASHVILLE – Illinois secured its first win of the 2025 season with a 3-1 comeback win over Vanderbilt as part of the Sprouts Farmers Market Broadway Block Party at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
After dropping the opening frame, the Fighting Illini claimed the final three sets en route to a 20-25, 25-17, 25-23, 25-15 victory. The triumph also marked the 150th win of Chris Tamas' head coaching career, becoming the fourth coach in program history to achieve that honor.
Taylor de Boer led the Orange and Blue offensively with a team-high and career-best 17 kills, and she also amassed four digs and two blocks.
Alyssa Aguayo registered her second double-double in as many matches to start her collegiate career, finishing the night with 12 kills, 12 digs, four assists, and a block.
Auburn Tomkinson fueled a big scoring run at the service line once again, totaling eight kills, four digs, four blocks, and an ace.
Kayla Burbage collected three kills, six digs, six blocks, and two service aces.
A back-and-forth opening to the first set saw neither side lead by more than one early, but a 5-1 Illini run gave the Orange and Blue a three-point edge. Vanderbilt responded with a 10-2 scoring stretch, which gave the Commodores a 16-11 advantage. That lead grew as large as eight, and despite a late 4-1 Illinois run, it was not enough as Vandy claimed the opening frame, 25-20.
The Illini shifted the momentum early in the second set, jumping out to a 5-1 edge and forcing the Commodores to use a timeout six points into the frame. Illinois continued to add to its advantage, stringing together a 7-1 run soon after to lengthen the lead to 17-8. A 5-0 Vanderbilt run cut into the deficit, but the Illini established a 22-15 edge following a 4-1 run. Recording three of the final four points of the set, Illinois claimed the frame, 25-17, and tied the match at one set apiece.
Getting out to a fast start once again in the third set, the Illini used an 8-2 stretch to take an early five-point lead. The Commodores started to settle in, though, leveling the frame at 15-15. The Orange and Blue scored six of the next seven points, re-claiming a five-point edge. Though Vanderbilt cut that advantage to a single point late, 23-22, Illinois closed out the set, 25-23, to take a 2-1 lead in the match.
Once more, the Illini came roaring out of the gates to begin the fourth frame, going in front by five, 7-2. A 6-2 Vandy run cut the Commodores' deficit to one, but the Orange and Blue bounced back with Tomkinson at the service line. A 7-0 Illinois run turned a two-point lead to nine, and the Illini did not look back en route to a 25-15 fourth-set decision and the 3-1 victory.
Notes
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Head coach
Chris Tamas earned his 150th win as a head coach, all of which have come at the helm of the Fighting Illini.
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He is the fourth head coach in program history to achieve that feat (Mike Hebert, 323; Don Hardin, 234; Kevin Hambly, 178).
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Taylor de Boer set a new career-best kill total with 17 on .425 hitting clip.
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Alyssa Aguayo recorded a double-double with a career-high 12 kills in addition to 12 digs.
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Illinois posted its first victory over an SEC opponent since Aug. 28, 2022, when the Illini defeated Ole Miss in four sets.
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The Illini moved to 1-0 all-time against Vanderbilt.
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The Illini improved to 1-0 when wearing blue long-sleeved jerseys.
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Illinois are now 1-1 in neutral-site matches this season.
Next Up
The Illini return to action next weekend with road trips to Notre Dame on Friday and No. 4 Louisville on Sunday.
