EAST LANSING, Mich. – After splitting a pair of matches last weekend, the Michigan State volleyball team will once again meet Illinois and Northwestern this week, this time in the Land of Lincoln. MSU travels to Champaign, Ill. for an 8:00 p.m. ET match against the Fighting Illini on Friday, Nov. 18 before traveling north to face Northwestern at 2:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, Nov. 20. Illinois has won four of its last six matches, including wins over then #11 Penn State and a Michigan team that was receiving votes. Northwestern is on a four-match losing skid.
ABOUT ILLINOIS
Illinois is 13-13 this season with an 8-8 record in the Big Ten and is 4-4 when playing at home. The Fighting Illini have won four of six including two wins over MSU and Michigan last weekend. Illinois is coached by Chris Tamas in his sixth season as head coach, bringing a 113-65 career record into the weekend. The Illini are No. 65 in the latest NCAA RPI.
As a team Illinois ranks No. 111 in hitting percentage (.225) and No. 202 in opponents hitting percentage (.210) among Division I programs.
Outside hitter Raina Terry leads the Illini attack average 4.13 kills per set on .235 hitting this season. Terry’s kills per set rank No. 36 nationally and No. 4 in the Big Ten, while her 4.86 points per set rank No. 21 nationally and No. 3 in the B1G. Terry also leads the team in aces with 41 this season. Diana Brown is the setter in Illinois’ system with 985 assists to her name this season on 10.37 assists per set. Brown’s assists per set rank No. 44 nationally and No. 4 in the B1G.
Defensively Caroline Barnes leads Illinois with 338 digs on 3.56 digs per set this season. Brown is second on the team in digs with 236 on 2.48 per set. Middle blocker Rylee Hinton leads the team with 86 total blocks on 1.41 blocks per set.
Illinois leads the all-time series against Michigan State, 55-27, and are 26-9 against the Spartans when playing in Champaign.
ABOUT NORTHWESTERN
Northwestern is enjoying an improved season, sitting at 17-11 with a 6-10 mark in Big Ten play as the conference season nears its close. The Wildcats are No. 46 in the latest NCAA RPI. The Wildcats are coached by Shane Davis in his seventh season at the helm, with Northwestern having locked in its first winning season during his tenure. Davis brings an 87-110 career record into…
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