University of Illinois
1-1,0-0Big Ten
Syracuse
0-2,0-0ACC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Syracuse | 17 | 17 | 14 | 0 |
| Illinois | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
Fighting Illini Secure Sunday Sweep Over Syracuse
August 30, 2026 | Volleyball
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois secured its first win of the 2026 season with a sweep against Syracuse on Sunday afternoon at Huff Hall.
The Fighting Illini posted a .400 hitting percentage while allowing zero aces in their three-set victory over the Orange.
Paityn Chapman continued her strong start to her Illini career with 16 kills, eight digs, and three blocks while swinging at a .441 clip. Taylor de Boer tallied 13 kills of her own and added three digs and a block.
Alyssa Aguayo amassed double-digit digs for the first time in 2026, recording 10 digs, six kills, two blocks, and an ace. Talita Goncalves totaled five digs and eight assists, while Kenna Phelan finished just shy of a double-double with 29 assists, nine digs, and two aces.
True freshmen Maya Harris and Madi Miles both registered their first collegiate kills during the contest.
With the Illini holding a 15-13 advantage at the media timeout in the first set, the hosts used a 6-2 run to lengthen their lead to six. Scoring four of the final five points of the frame, the Orange and Blue claimed the opening set, 25-17, to take a 1-0 lead in the match.
Illinois set the tone early in the second set, establishing a 5-1 edge before expanding that lead to 11-4, which led to a Syracuse timeout. Leading by as many as eight, the Illini secured the second set by an identical 25-17 margin to double their advantage in the match.
A 5-0 scoring run with Phelan at the service line to open the third frame set the tone early. With Illinois holding a 13-9 edge shortly after, a 6-0 Illini run saw the home side extend their advantage to double digits. The hosts soon closed out the match, taking the final set by a 25-14 scoreline to secure the sweep.
NOTES
- Paityn Chapman recorded a team-high 16 kills, eight digs, and three blocks.
- Has double-digit kills in each of her first two matches as an Illini.
- Swung at a .441 clip.
- Taylor de Boer posted 13 kills in addition to three digs and a block.
- Recorded double-digit kills for the 25th time in her career.
- Maya Harris tallied six digs, two aces, and a kill.
- Marked her first collegiate kill.
- Has multiple aces in each of her first two college appearances.
- Madi Miles made her collegiate debut and recorded a kill.
- Registered her first collegiate kill.
- Alyssa Aguayo accumulated six kills, 10 digs, and two blocks.
- Recorded the 13th outing of her career with double-digit digs.
- Illinois recorded a .400 hitting percentage as a team.
- The Illini hit at least .400 for the first time since Sept. 10, 2022, vs. Villanova (.403).
- The Illini held Syracuse to zero aces.
- Illinois held an opponent to zero aces for the first time since Aug. 30, 2024, vs. Cincinnati.
- Illinois limited Syracuse to a .125 hitting percentage.
- The Illini moved to 1-0 against Syracuse in the all-time series.
- The Illini are now 1-0 when wearing orange sleeveless jerseys.
- Illinois moved to 1-1 at Huff Hall this season.
- Attendance was called at 2,122.
UP NEXT
Illinois heads south for Allstate Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge Week with a road contest against #22 Tennessee on Tuesday night. The Fighting Illini will take on the Volunteers in Knoxville, Tenn., at 6 p.m. CT, with the match set to air nationally on SEC Network.
