Illinois Volleyball Falls to Minnesota
The Illinois volleyball team faced a tough match on the road against #20 Minnesota, losing in straight sets at Maturi Pavilion.
Key Player Performances
Taylor de Boer stood out with 13 kills, hitting at an impressive .346 average. This marked her 11th consecutive game with double-digit kills. She also contributed with two blocks.
Kenna Phelan had a solid performance as well, achieving her sixth double-double of the season with 18 assists and 10 digs, along with two kills.
Other notable contributions came from Averie Hernandez, who tallied five kills, seven digs, and two assists. Taryn Kirsch also shined with nine digs, three assists, and her first two aces of her college career. Kenzie Cogan added seven digs, three assists, and two aces, while Kayla Burbage recorded the highest number of blocks on the team with three, along with two kills.
Match Highlights
The match started closely, with both teams exchanging points. Minnesota gained a slight edge, leading 10-7 after a 4-1 run. Illinois quickly fought back, tying at 14. They even took a one-point lead, but Minnesota rebounded to take the first set 26-24.
In the second set, Illinois briefly led, but Minnesota unleashed a 13-1 run, dominating the set 25-12.
The third set mirrored the earlier trends. Minnesota surged ahead 17-8, forcing Illinois to call a timeout. Despite a valiant comeback attempt, Illinois managed to tie at 21, but Minnesota held on to win four of the final five points to complete the sweep.
Upcoming Match
Illinois, now 12-8 overall and 7-4 in the Big Ten, will be back at home to face Iowa on Sunday for their Women Win in Orange match, starting at 1 p.m.
Reflections on Team Progress
Historically, the Fighting Illini have shown resilience and growth even during challenging matches. This season, they’ve had notable wins, but consistency is key if they wish to maintain a strong position in the Big Ten. Keeping an eye on stats and performances can inspire future improvements.
According to a recent NCAA report, teams that adapt quickly during matches tend to have better success rates. As the Illini prepare for their next game, finding ways to recover from setbacks will be crucial to their journey ahead.
