Chris Tamas Head Coach | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
Chris Tamas Head Coach | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
Illinois defeated Illinois State in straight sets at the Linda Herman Classic, held at CEFCU Arena in Normal, Illinois, on Sunday. This victory marks the second sweep of the weekend for the Fighting Illini, who now hold a 4-3 record as they prepare for their first home matches of the season.
Taylor de Boer led Illinois with 10 kills and a .348 hitting percentage. She also contributed two digs and a block. Alyssa Aguayo was close to a double-double, finishing with nine kills, 10 digs, a career-high four blocks, and two aces. Kenna Phelan recorded 28 assists along with nine digs, a block, an ace, and a kill.
Other notable performances included Ashlyn Philpot’s four kills and six blocks; Kayla Burbage’s four kills, four blocks, and an ace; and Auburn Tomkinson’s five kills, three blocks, and an ace.
Illinois responded to an early deficit in the first set by going on a 9-1 run. The team maintained control throughout the match with several scoring stretches that helped secure set wins of 25-17, 25-18, and 26-24.
Aguayo saw her streak of double-digit kills end at six matches but became the first true freshman since Jacqueline Quade in 2016 to achieve double-digit kills in her first six collegiate matches. She also finished with double-digit digs for the fifth time this season.
De Boer has posted double-digit kills in six out of seven matches this season. Tomkinson has registered at least three blocks in all seven matches so far.
Philpot secured her fourth match with at least five blocks and has recorded at least one block in every match this season.
As a team, Illinois hit .239 while holding Illinois State to .104—the lowest hitting percentage by any Illini opponent this year. The Illini also finished with 10 total blocks for their third match this season reaching double digits in that category.
Head coach Chris Tamas improved his overall record to 153-97 during his tenure at Illinois. The all-time series between Illinois and Illinois State is now tied at 31 wins each.
Illinois will return home next week to host Iowa State on Saturday and Eastern Illinois on Sunday at Huff Hall to finish nonconference play.
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