EVANSTON, Ill. — Junior Temi Thomas-Ailara earned First Team All-Big Ten honors for the fall 2021 season, the conference announced Wednesday. This marks the second-straight season Thomas-Ailara has taken home first team recognition.
Thomas-Ailara finished the year with a Big Ten-high 492 kills as well as a team-high 38 service aces. She has led the team in kills every year since arriving in Evanston in 2019, and has the third most kills in the Big Ten over the last three years. The outside hitter also recorded 239 digs and 59 blocks.
Playing in every set of the season, Thomas-Ailara broke double-digit kills in every match and has done so in 34-straight matches, a streak that dates back to March 27. Thomas-Ailara also broke 20 kills in six matches, including a 24-kill performance in four sets to take down Indiana at home.
The Glenwood, Illinois native also led the Big Ten in points with 573.5 and was second in points per set with 4.59.
She is the first Wildcat to secure the award in consecutive seasons since Northwestern all-time kills leader Stephanie Holthus did it in three-straight years between 2011 and 2013.
Sophomore Natalie Chizzo also brought home conference hardware for the ‘Cats as a Big Ten Sportsmanship Honoree.
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