Chambana Sun

The University of Illinois women's volleyball team began its weekend at the Linda Herman Classic with a 3-0 victory over Cincinnati on Friday at CEFCU Arena in Normal, Illinois. The win improved the Illini's record to 3-2 for the season.

Taylor de Boer led Illinois with 17 kills, finishing just one short of her career high and extending her streak of matches with double-digit kills to five. "Taylor de Boer led the team with 17 kills on a .394 hitting percentage. Has 10+ kills in each of her first five matches of the season. Led the Illini in kills for the fourth time this season. Her .382 hitting percentage set a new season-best."

Freshman Alyssa Aguayo contributed her fourth double-double, recording 11 kills and 10 digs. She also had an ace and an assist, marking her fifth consecutive match with at least 10 kills. "Alyssa Aguayo logged 11 kills and a team-high 10 digs, in addition to an ace and an assist. Now has double-digit kills in each of the first five matches of her collegiate career.Is the first true freshman with 10+ kills in their first five collegiate matches in 2016, when Jacqueline Quade had 10+ kills in her first six matches. Had an ace in back-to-back matches for the first time this season. Has at least one assist in all five matches this season."

Ashlyn Philpot added seven kills while hitting .600 and recorded a block and a dig during the match. "Ashlyn Philpot collected seven kills along with one block. Has at least seven kills in four of the first five matches of the season.Has 7+ kills in three consecutive outings. Has a block in all five matches this season."

Defensively, five Illinois players registered at least four digs: Aguayo (10), Taryn Kirsch (7), Kenna Phelan (7), Lara Žigic (5), and Averie Hernandez (4). Phelan also finished with two aces among Illinois' seven total aces as a team.

Illinois took control late in each set to secure wins by scores of 25-21, 25-23, and 25-22.

Additional contributions included Auburn Tomkinson’s five kills and two blocks, continuing her streak of multiple blocks per match this year; Kenna Phelan’s performance included 34 assists, seven digs, two aces, and a block.

Illinois achieved its highest team hitting percentage so far this season at .340.

Head coach Chris Tamas reached an overall record of 152-96 during his tenure leading Illinois.

The Illini now hold an all-time record of 11-3 against Cincinnati and have won their last six meetings against them.

Next up for Illinois is a match against Miami (Fla.) on Saturday afternoon as part of continued play at the Linda Herman Volleyball Classic.