WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Wednesday night’s Big Ten match at Holloway Gymnasium resulted in a loss for Illinois as the Fighting Illini fell in straight sets to #19 Purdue.
With the loss, the Illini dropped to 7-8 on the year and 2-3 in conference play. The ranked Boilermakers improved to 9-5 overall and 3-2 against league opponents.
The Orange and Blue added 27 kills and a .117 hitting clip during the loss. The squad also recorded 46 digs, 27 assists and six blocks. Raina Terry paced the Illini with 12 kills. The senior, alongside Kennedy Collins, posted a squad-best four blocks. Brooke Mosher tallied 25 assists, while Caroline Barnes added 14 digs.
How it happened
Illinois got off to a slow start, falling behind early via four straight Boilermakers points. Purdue extended its advantage before the Illini used its final timeout, down 15-4. Barnes helped cut the deficit to eight points following a service ace late in the set, but the Illini dropped the opening frame, 25-11.
The Fighting Illini kept a tighter grip early in the second set but fell behind 14-10 following a 3-0 turn for the Boilermakers. Illinois cut the Purdue lead to 17-15 following a kill from Terry, but the opposition built back a four-point advantage, leading to the Illini’s final timeout. Despite trading points late, Purdue closed out the frame with back-to-back points, handing Illinois the 25-19 second-set loss.
Errors continued to plague the Illini, with the team falling behind 10-5 before using the first timeout of the set. A 3-0 run added to the deficit before Terry snapped the swing with a kill from the outside and spearheaded three straight scores for the Illini, putting the team behind, 15-12. Looking to stall the Boilermakers, the Illini used its final timeout, down 21-15, but the team was unable to overcome the deficit and fell 25-19 in the final frame.
Up Next
Illinois prepares for the 17th annual Stuff Huff as the team welcomes #1 Wisconsin on Saturday. First serve on B1G+ is slated for 6 p.m. CT.
Notes
– Starters: Brooke Mosher, Raina Terry, Kayla Burbage, Kennedy Collins, Lily Barry, Cari Bohm and Caroline Barnes
– The Illini wore long-sleeved orange jerseys, moving to 0-4 this year while donning those.
– The Illinois volleyball program moved to 49-43 against Purdue all time.
– Head coach Chris Tamas owns a…
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