BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Illinois earned a four-set win over WKU in the Hyatt Place Invitational finale at E.A. Diddle Arena on Saturday,
The Fighting Illini moved to 7-1 this season, while the Hilltoppers, who received votes in this week’s American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) poll, dropped to 4-6.
As a team, the Orange and Blue hit .267 with 63 kills. The squad also amassed 70 digs, 58 assists and 12 blocks.
Individually, Raina Terry added her second-straight double-double, tallying 19 kills and 14 digs. Averie Hernandez also impressed with 17 kills and 12 digs in the match. Defensively, Cari Bohm registered a career-best nine blocks, while Christina Martinez Mundo tallied 15 digs.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Illinois got off to a slow start, trailing 6-1 in the opening frame. The Fighting Illini battled back, coming within one following a block by Terry and Bohm. But, at the media timeout, the squad trailed, 15-11. The Orange and Blue burned their final timeout of the set trailing, 21-15, but a 5-0 rally with Brooke Mosher serving got Illinois within one, 21-20. Despite WKU holding two set points, Illinois fought to tie the set at 24 apiece following a pair of kills from Terry. With the set knotted at 25, back-to-back blocks from the Orange and Blue powered the team to victory, 27-25.
In the second set, the Illini needed a timeout following a 5-0 run that left the Orange and Blue behind, 11-6. Another run by WKU left Illinois trailing by 10,…
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