Illinois Volleyball Update: Tough Loss Against Wisconsin
On Saturday night, the Illinois Fighting Illini faced off against the #11 Wisconsin Badgers in their annual “Stuff Huff” match. Unfortunately, the Illini fell short, losing the game but showing strong individual performances.
Standout Players
Ashlyn Philpot led the team with 10 kills, hitting an impressive .615. She also contributed two blocks, including a stellar solo effort. Following her, Alyssa Aguayo added nine kills and made her presence known with eight digs, two assists, one ace, and another block. Auburn Tomkinson and Taylor de Boer also delivered solid performances with seven and seven kills, respectively.
Kenna Phelan played a crucial role, racking up 35 assists along with nine digs and an ace. Taryn Kirsch was a defensive standout, leading the team with 10 digs for the match.
Key Match Insights
The first set of the game was particularly intense, going to Illinois with a narrow 35-33 score. This set became the longest of the season, showcasing the team’s resilience. Head coach Chris Tamas now holds a record of 162-106 with the Illini.
Despite the loss, there were notable stats:
- This match marked Illinois’s 49th all-time matchup against Wisconsin, resulting in a record of 49-51-1.
- Illinois is 6-6 in three-set matches this season and 4-6 at home.
- The attendance for this match was 3,554, a strong showing from the fans.
Looking Ahead
Next week, Illinois will head to California for two crucial matches. They’ll take on UCLA on Thursday at 9 PM CT and then face #17 USC on Saturday at 6 PM CT.
As the season progresses, fans will be watching to see if the Illini can build on individual achievements and translate them into team success.
