Fighting Illini Volleyball Reveals Non-Conference Slate

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois volleyball head coach Chris Tamas announced the Fighting Illini’s non-conference schedule on Monday afternoon.

The Illini’s non-conference slate features 10 matches including a tournament at Huff Hall. The field features two teams that reached the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament in 2022 in USC and UCF.

The season opener for the Orange and Blue takes place on Aug. 26, when the team heads to Northern Illinois. The Fighting Illini return to Champaign to face off against Valparaiso in its home opener on Aug. 29.

Illinois begins the month of September with a home tournament at Huff Hall. Wichita State and Illinois State come to town for the event from Sept. 1-3. The Shockers went 18-13 last season with a 13-6 record in The American, appearing in the NIVC Tournament while the Redbirds posted a 12-17 mark in 2022 and went 5-13 in Missouri Valley play.

A midweek match at UIC awaits the Illini on Sept. 5, before the team heads to Notre Dame to take on the Fighting Irish and the Oklahoma Sooners spanning Sept. 7-8. Illinois boasts a 5-1 all-time record against Notre Dame and a 1-1 all-time mark against the Sooners.

On Sept. 12, Illinois travels to Bradley for a clash against the Braves. Illinois concludes its non-conference schedule with matches against UCF and USC at a tournament hosted by Purdue from Sept. 14-15. The Knights were co-champions of the AAC last season owning a 28-2 overall record and a 19-1 conference mark. The Trojans were 22-11 last year, with a 13-7 record against Pac-12 opponents. 

The 2023 season marks the seventh season under Tamas, who owns an overall record of 115-67 at the helm for the Fighting Illini. Notable returning Illini include unanimous All-Big Ten First Team selection Raina Terry and All Big-Ten Freshman Team member Brooke Mosher.