UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Illinois dropped a match in straight set to #4 Penn State at Rec Hall on Friday night.
The Fighting Illini fell to 17-8 this year with a 9-6 Big Ten record. The ranked Nittany Lions improved 24-2 overall with a 14-1 conference mark.
As a team, the Orange and Blue tallied 38 kills while hitting .222 for the match. Raina Terry led the way offensively with 19 kills and a .500 hitting percentage.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Illinois started the match hot, scoring the first four points. The Nittany Lions did not go away quietly, taking a 10-9 lead after the Illini allowed a 4-0 rally. Back-and-forth the teams went, with PSU hanging onto the slight 15-14 advantage at the media break.
Penn State added a five-point turn, putting the Orange and Blue behind, 21-18, but the Illini continued to fight with Averie Hernandez getting the team withing a point following a kill. However, a service error from the Illini ended the opening set defeat, 25-23.
The teams went point-for-point in the second set, but a three-point rally for the Nittany Lions left Illinois in need of a timeout trailing, 12-9. The Orange and Blue clawed back, with a Terry kill shortening the deficit to a pair. But the opposition built back it advantage, 19-14, forcing the Illini to use their final timeout. A 5-0 run by Penn State closed out the set, handing Illinois the 25-18 loss.
The Fighting Illini began the third set with a bang, taking the 13-9 lead following a 4-0 run with Christina Martinez Mundo serving. However, the…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at University of Illinois Athletics…