NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois fell to Miami in four sets in its second match of the Linda Herman Classic at the CEFCU Area in Normal, Ill., on Saturday afternoon.
After the sides split the opening two frames, the Hurricanes, who received votes in the most recent AVCA poll, secured the final two sets en route to victory.
Alyssa Aguayo finished the afternoon with a team-high 14 kills on a .367 hitting percentage, marking her sixth straight outing with double-digit kills to begin her collegiate career. She also tallied three digs, three assists, and two blocks.
Auburn Tomkinson registered 10 kills for her third outing in double figures this season. Hitting .350, she added two blocks and an assist.
Ashlyn Philpot recorded her third five-block effort of the campaign, ending the day with seven kills and five stuffs.
Averie Hernandez collected a season-high and team-most 12 digs, along with two kills, an assist, and an ace.
The Hurricanes opened the match with a 4-1 run, and they soon extended their advantage up to five. The Illini cut into their deficit via a 3-0 stretch shortly after, and they soon evened the frame at 17 apiece. Miami responded with the next five points, though Illinois fought back with a 4-1 run to trim the score to 23-21. Despite the Illini hitting .750 in the frame, the Hurricanes accounted for the final two points of the set en route to the 25-21 decision.
An early 8-1 run from the Illini gave Illinois a quick six-point edge, though a 5-0 stretch from the Hurricanes cut their deficit to one. Miami established a 14-13 advantage, soon pushing that lead up to two points. A 5-1 Illini stretch, fueled by back-to-back aces from Vivian Campbell, helped the Orange and Blue jump back in front and eventually take the set, 25-23.
Miami used a 4-1 run out of the gates in the third set to swing the momentum back in its favor, and a 7-2 stretch soon after firmly established the Hurricanes' lead, 12-7. That advantage climbed to seven following the media timeout, and a 6-1 run moved Miami's lead to double digits. The Hurricanes ultimately claimed the frame in commanding fashion, 25-15.
Via a 4-0 run early in the fourth set, the Illini forced the Hurricanes to burn a timeout with Illinois ahead, 9-6. The Hurricanes came out of the intermission with a 4-0 run, going in front, before the sides moved level at 13 all. Miami's 5-0 run gave the Hurricanes the lead for good, closing out the set, 25-17.
NOTES
- Alyssa Aguayo finished the afternoon with a team-high 14 kills on a .367 hitting percentage, in addition to three digs, three assists, and two blocks.
- Now has double-digit kills in each of the first six matches of her collegiate career.
- Is the first true freshman with 10+ kills in their first six collegiate matches in 2016, when Jacqueline Quade also had 10+ kills in her first six matches.
- Led the team in kills for the first time this season.
- Has at least one assist in all six matches this season.
- Registered multiple blocks for the second time this season.
- Auburn Tomkinson registered 10 kills and added two blocks and an assist.
- Totaled double-digit kills for the third time this season.
- Has multiple blocks in all five matches this season.
- Ashlyn Philpot ended the day with seven kills and five blocks.
- Has at least seven kills in five of the first six matches of the season.
- Has 7+ kills in four consecutive outings.
- Secured her third match with at least five stuffs.
- Has a block in all six matches this season.
- Vivian Campbell posted two aces and three digs.
- Had multiple aces for the fourth time this season.
- Has 2+ aces in three consecutive appearances.
- Illinois hit .320 as a team.
- The Illini hit above .300 for the second consecutive match.
- Head coach Chris Tamas moved to 152-97 overall during his time at the helm of the Illini.
- The Illini moved to 0-1 all-time against Miami.
- Illinois and Miami met for the first time in program history on Saturday.
- Illinois is now 1-3 in four-set matches this season.
- The Illini moved to 1-2 when wearing blue long-sleeved jerseys.
- Illinois is now 2-2 in neutral-site matches this season.
- The Illini have played five power-conference opponents across their first six matches, moving to 3-2 against such teams this season.
UP NEXT
Illinois wraps up the Linda Herman Volleyball Classic with an in-state showdown against host Illinois State on Sunday afternoon. First serve from CEFCU Arena in Normal, Ill., is slated for 2 p.m. CT and will be available for streaming on ESPN+.
