Chambana Sun

Illinois head coach Chris Tamas attended the Big Ten Volleyball Media Days in Chicago for the third consecutive year on Monday. Accompanied by student-athletes Caroline Barnes and Raina Terry, Tamas addressed several topics including conference expansion, team roster changes, and his recent trip to Paris for the 2024 Olympics.

The Big Ten Conference has expanded from 14 to 18 member institutions with the addition of Oregon, UCLA, USC, and Washington. Despite this growth, Tamas does not foresee significant changes in handling the new members. "We'll handle it the same," he said. "A couple of trips might be a little bit tougher than the other ones, but it's going to be relatively the same."

Illinois will travel to Oregon and Washington during the opening week of conference play on Sept. 27-28. The Illini will face USC at Huff Hall on Nov. 8 and UCLA on Nov. 23.

Tamas emphasized that every match in the strengthened conference would be challenging: "There is no match that you can just show up and waltz into," he stated.

The Illini's roster features a mix of experienced transfers and promising freshmen. New additions include sophomore setter Vivian Campbell (Cincinnati), junior outside hitter/opposite Averie Hernandez (Northwestern), graduate student libero/defensive specialist Christina Martinez Mundo (Eastern Illinois), senior setter Raegen Reilly (South Dakota State), as well as four freshmen: Kenzie Cogan, Ashlyn Philpot, Christine Pullen, and Laynie Smith.

Returning players include Raina Terry, Brooke Mosher, Caroline Barnes, and Cari Bohm. With many newcomers alongside returning talent, Tamas aims to finalize lineups and rotations over the next few weeks.

Raina Terry returns for her fifth season after a stellar senior year in which she recorded career-highs in several categories. She chose to return while pursuing a master's degree: "It was probably the easiest decision I've ever made in my life," Terry remarked.

The Illini's season opener is scheduled against Cincinnati on Aug. 30.