In a thrilling quest for their fifth consecutive victory, the Illinois volleyball squad played host to the formidable #16 Purdue team at the iconic Huff Hall. Celebrating their 50th season, Illinois boasted an impressive overall record of 1,061 wins, 620 losses, and 7 draws, translating to a remarkable.629 win percentage. Steering this seasoned ship for the seventh season was head coach Chris Tamas, who had notched 126 wins out of 203 games, amounting to a.621 winning percentage.
Their latest triumph saw the Fighting Illini engage in an epic four-set battle against the No. 16 Purdue Boilermakers, a team that received votes in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association poll. The Illini are riding high on a four-game winning streak, and they’re about to embark on a quest for vengeance against the Boilermakers, who bested them earlier this year.
Purdue is upset by Illinois Volleyball in an epic battle
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The game showcased the prowess of their star players, with three standout performers racking up double-digit kills. Raina Terry led the charge with an impressive 16 kills, while Kennedy Collins made her presence known with 12 kills and a dazzling display of five aces and four blocks. Watch this recent tweet made by Big Ten Volleyball with the caption, “UPSET ALERT @IlliniVBall takes down No. 16 Purdue in four sets.”
UPSET ALERT 🚨@IlliniVBall takes down No. 16 Purdue in four sets.
💻: @BigTenPlus pic.twitter.com/PUqo31xzbT
— Big Ten Volleyball (@B1GVolleyball) October 29, 2023
In their recent face-off against the Hoosiers, the Illini’s seasoned outside hitter, Raina Terry, put on a dazzling performance. She wowed the crowd with 19 thunderous kills and served up a lone ace for good measure. Terry’s stellar showing not only secured a victory but also cemented her as a key player to watch in their upcoming showdown with the Boilermakers. It’s a high-stakes game, and all eyes are on Terry and her teammates as they aim to keep their winning streak alive. Cari Bohm reached a career-high, notching 10 kills with an impressive.643 hitting percentage.
Adding a unique touch to this game, the Illinois team sported special jerseys, all of which were set to be auctioned off. The proceeds from this auction were earmarked for the noble cause of breast cancer research.
With an extensive history against Purdue, the Illini held a slight advantage with a 50-45 record in their all-time series. However, recent encounters favored the Boilermakers, as they secured victory in the three most recent meetings between the teams.
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Underdog’s astounding victory
Of particular note was the achievement of Illinois graduate student Kennedy Collins, who achieved her 400th career block during the Boilermaker Challenge. Her illustrious career spanned five years with the Orange and Blue, including 46 solo blocks, 394 block assists, and an astounding 440.0 total blocks. This season alone, Collins already boasted 11 solo blocks and 85 block assists. Her remarkable performance catapulted her to the 13th spot in the Illini all-time rankings for total blocks.
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As a twist, the Illinois volleyball team pulled off a stunning upset against the formidable Purdue squad, triumphing in a nail-biting four-set showdown. The orange and blue wave continued to crest, defying expectations and celebrating their illustrious 50-year history with a memorable victory.
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