CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois fell in its home opener to Iowa State in four sets on Saturday night at Huff Hall. The Cyclones took a two-set lead before the Illini battled back to take the third frame. The visitors ultimately secured the fourth set to send the Orange and Blue to 4-4 on the season.
Taylor de Boer led the Illini with 13 kills, her seventh double-digit effort of the year. She also made one block.
Auburn Tomkinson posted 10+ kills for the fourth time this season, finishing with 11 on a .444 clip. She tacked on a block, a dig, and an ace.
Kenna Phelan and Alyssa Aguayo helped the hosts tally a season-high 12 aces. Phelan had four aces in addition to her 34 assists, four kills, and two blocks. Aguayo also amassed six kills, six digs, two blocks, and an assist in addition to her career-most four aces..
Ashlyn Philpot totaled nine kills, three digs, and three blocks, while Kayla Burbage bagged six kills, four blocks (including a season-high two solo stuffs), and three digs.
The Illini return to Huff Hall on Sunday at 1 p.m. CT for their Cerebral Palsy Awareness match against Eastern Illinois.
NOTES
- Taylor de Boer led the Illini with 13 kills while also making one block.
- Has double-digit kills in seven of the Illini's eight matches this season.
- Has led the Illini in kills in six matches.
- Tallied her fifth match with a block this season.
- Has a block in each of the last three matches.
- Alyssa Aguayo amassed six kills, six digs, four aces, two blocks, and an assist.
- Registered a career-high four aces in the win.
- Has multiple aces in back-to-back matches.
- Has multiple aces in two matches this season.
- Auburn Tomkinson posted 11 on a .444 clip while tacking on a block, a dig, and an ace.
- Finished with double-digit kills for the fourth time this season.
- Registered her sixth match this season with an ace; has eight aces this season.
- Ashlyn Philpot totaled nine kills, three digs, and three blocks.
- Finished with at least three blocks for the sixth time.
- Has a block in all eight matches this season.
- Had two solo blocks for the second time this season.
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Ava Wysocki made her Illini/collegiate debut in the second set.
- The Illini finished with a season-high 12 aces, with six different players posting at least one.
- Illinois' 12 aces are its most since also tallying 12 aces in a five-set win at Michigan State on Oct. 12, 2024.
- Head coach Chris Tamas moved to 153-98 overall during his time at the helm of the Illini.
- The Illini moved to 6-2 all-time against Iowa State.
- Illinois is 3-2 when playing the Cyclones at home.
- Illinois is now 1-4 in four-set matches this season.
- The Illini moved to 0-1 when wearing white sleeveless jerseys.
- Illinois is now 0-1 at Huff Hall this season.
- Attendance was called at 3,115.
UP NEXT
Illinois closes the weekend on Sunday afternoon against Eastern Illinois for the team's Cerebral Palsy Awareness match. First serve between the Illini and the Panthers is slated for 1 p.m. CT at Huff Hall, while the contest will be available to stream on B1G+.
