The weekend didn't start perfectly for the Illinois volleyball team, as they dropped a back-and-forth first set in College Park
The Illini were seemingly locked into a battle with the Terrapins before an incredible comeback to take set two and even the match. Maryland continued to battle and put up a valiant effort, but Illinois seemed to be a step ahead the rest of the match.
Maryland kept it close in set three before freshman outside hitter Alyssa Aguayo went on an absolute tear, scoring six straight Illinois points, and propelling the Illini to a 25-18 set win. Aguayo recorded three straight kills and then went behind the service line and put the game away with three straight aces.
Set four was more of the same. Airtight for most of the set, with Illinois leading the way almost the entire time, however they never led by more than three points. They outlasted the Terps winning the set 25-23 and securing the match win.
For most of the night, Maryland did a great job keeping it close, but the match never really seemed to be in doubt for Illinois. Their defensive was on full display, registering a season-high 15 total blocks. Freshman libero Taryn Kirsch tied her career-high with 21 digs, as well. Kenzie Cogan set her career-high with 11 digs.
That's not all for the career-highs, Auburn Tomkinson finished with a dominant 17 kills on 33 swings, a career-best. She hit .394 while Ashlyn Philpot finished hitting above .400 for the third time in the last four games, adding 11 kills.
With a win in their pocket, Illinois made the three-hour trip north to the State University of New Jersey to take on the Scarlet Knights. Rutgers was going for their second conference win while the Orange and Blue were trying to make it five wins in their last six.
It was more of the same in game two of the weekend. Illinois continued to control each set while Rutgers was able to keep things interesting for most of the match. Every time Illinois went on a run, they would find a way to bring it back, but they just couldn't get over the hump.
After an off night in College Park, both Taylor de Boer and Aguayo got back on track. De Boer finished with her 13th double-digit kill game with 16 kills on just 29 swings. Aguayo finished with 11 kills, hitting an efficient .333. They were both pivotal in the third set, accounting for five kills each.
Thoughts
Maryland and Rutgers clearly aren't the cream of the crop in the Big Ten, however, every single win should be celebrated. The Illini made the long trip out east to play two games in two days and did exactly what they needed to do.
Illinois has exceeded expectations to this point, winning 15 of 21 Big Ten sets, resulting in a 5-1 conference record. Notably, they've beaten a top 10 team on the road in Purdue and an emerging Michigan State in a hard-fought five-set thriller. An early look at conference standings has them tied with Indiana and Wisconsin for second place, just behind Nebraska.
Looking Ahead
Illinois continues a two-week-long road trip, as they go 19 days without a home game. On Friday, they'll travel to Columbus to take on the Buckeyes, who are still searching for their first conference win, currently 0-6 in the B1G. You can catch that game on Big Ten Plus at 5 p.m. CT on Friday.
They then get a day to travel back to Illinois to take on in-state rival Northwestern in Evanston. The Wildcats have picked up conference wins over common opponents, Rutgers and Oregon, but have fallen in four of six Big Ten tests. That game can also be seen on BTN+ at 2:00 p.m. CT on Sunday.
Illinois will be eyeing their fourth and fifth consecutive wins, which would make them 7-1 in the Big Ten. That would mark the best record through eight conference games under Coach Tamas.