University of Illinois
3-2,0-0Big Ten
Rice
5-1,0-0American
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
| Rice | 18 | 19 | 14 | 0 |
Fighting Illini Record Resounding Road Sweep Over Rice
September 6, 2026 | Volleyball
RECAP
HOUSTON – Illinois closed its weekend in Houston with a resounding road sweep over Rice at Tudor Fieldhouse on Sunday afternoon.
The Fighting Illini hit .494 as a team, their most efficient percentage since 2018, while securing their second sweep in as many days.
Kristina Starostenko equaled her career-high of 10 kills while swinging at an error-free .714 and adding a team-most four blocks. Paityn Chapman continued her strong start to the season and led the way with 16 kills, three digs, and a block.
Taylor de Boer collected nine kills and two digs, while Alyssa Aguayo filled the stat sheet with eight kills, six digs, and two blocks.
Defensively, Talita Goncalves tallied a team-best 13 digs and added four assists, while Kenna Phelan finished with 38 assists, eight digs, two aces, and a block.
With the Illini holding a 15-12 midway through the opening set, Illinois used a 7-2 run to extend its edge to eight points. The visitors ultimately hit .410 in the frame en route to claiming the set, 25-18.
The Orange and Blue jumped out to a quick 6-1 lead in the second set, forcing the hosts to call an early timeout. The Owls cut their deficit to three, with the Illini going into the media break with a 15-12 edge. With Illinois' advantage up to six, Rice battled back to halve its deficit before the Illini closed the frame on a 4-1 scoring stretch to take the set, 25-19, and double their lead in the match.
Illinois forced the home side to take a timeout with the visitors in front by four early in the third set. The Owls soon used their final stoppage of the afternoon with the Illini advantage up to 13-7. The Orange and Blue's lead never dropped below six the rest of the way, ending the match on a 7-1 run to close out the sweep.
The Illini return to Huff Hall on Wednesday night for their Hail to the Blue Out and First Responders Night against Lindenwood. First serve is slated for 7 p.m. CT on B1G+.
NOTES
- Paityn Chapman recorded a team-high 16 kills along with three digs and a block.
- Had double-digit kills for the fourth time this season.
- Swung at a .560 clip.
- Marked the best attack percentage (min. 12 kills) by an Illini this season.
- Kristina Starostenko secured 10 kills and four blocks.
- Tied her career-high with 10 kills.
- Had double-digit kills for the second time.
- Hit a career-best .714.
- Tied her career-high with four total blocks.
- Has multiple blocks in three appearances this season.
- Tied her career-high with 10 kills.
- Alyssa Aguayo amassed eight kills, six digs, and two blocks.
- Posted multiple blocks for the second time this season.
- Talita Goncalves totaled a team-high 13 digs and four assists.
- Set a new season-best with 13 digs.
- Has double-digit digs in three consecutive matches.
- Set a new season-best with 13 digs.
- Kenna Phelan finished with 38 assists, eight digs, two aces, and a block.
- Has at least one ace in four of her five appearances this season.
- Has at least eight digs in four of five matches in 2026.
- Illinois posted a .494 hitting percentage as a team.
- The Illini's .494 mark is the team's best since swinging at a .513 clip against Lipscomb on Sept. 15, 2018.
- The Illini hit at least .400 for the second time this season.
- The Illini recorded only four attack errors in the match.
- The Illini's four attack errors are their fewest since registering three against Lipscomb on Sept. 15, 2018.
- The Illini held the Owls to a .198 hitting percentage.
- Illinois handed Rice its first loss of the season.
- Rice was receiving votes in the most recent AVCA poll.
- The Illini are now 3-1 in three-match contests this season.
- The Illini moved to 2-1 against Rice in the all-time series.
- Illinois is 2-0 when playing Rice in true road matches.
- The Illini are now 1-1 when wearing white sleeveless jerseys.
