The Illinois Fighting Illini volleyball team faced off against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on Sunday afternoon. It was a historic match with many twists and turns. The two Big Ten foes duked it out at Huff Hall in front of over 4,000 fans. Fans witnessed an extraordinary competition with one team accomplishing something never done before on the Illini’s home court.

This was a battle for the ages and would be etched in the minds of the fans. In the end, Illinois was able to fight past the Scarlet Knights’ breakthrough, snap their three-match skid, and come away victorious. But not before Rutgers threw some haymakers and made things extremely interesting.

Terry leads the Illini offense in volleyball

The Illinois Fighting Illini volleyball team snapped past a historic set win by Rutgers to defeat the Scarlet Knights 3-1. Behind 24 kills from star outside hitter Raina Terry, Illinois improved to 8-10 overall and 3-5 in the Big Ten with the victory. Rutgers drops to 9-9 on the year and 1-7 in conference play with the loss.

The Scarlet Knights made history in the match by taking the second set 25-17 – the first set Rutgers has ever won at Huff Hall. But the Illini bounced back to capture the next two sets, 25-23 and 25-12, to clinch the match. In addition to her 24 kills, Terry added four aces, seven digs, and four blocks. Setter Brooke Mosher recorded 43 assists and 11 digs for her ninth double-double.

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Libero Caroline Barnes led the Illini with 12 digs, while middle blocker Cari Bohm contributed five blocks as Illinois finished with ten total team blocks. The first set featured eight ties and two lead changes before Illinois pulled away late. Terry had three kills in the final stretch to secure the 25-22 win.

Historic set for Rutgers can’t derail Illini

The Scarlet Knights accomplished something never done before by taking the second set 25-17, marking the first time Rutgers has ever won a set at Huff Hall. However, Illinois regrouped after the historic moment to capture the next two sets and the match. Rutgers controlled most of the second set after using a 6-0 run to take a 15-12 lead. The Scarlet Knights maintained their advantage to win 25-17, becoming the first opponent to take a set from Illinois at Huff Hall.

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The Illini regained momentum in the third set, getting four aces from Terry. After 15 ties, Illinois closed out the 25-23 win on kills by Terry and Jessica Nunge. Illinois then dominated the fourth set, opening up a 7-2 lead and never looking back. Rutgers committed 11 errors as the Illini cruised to a 25-12 result to clinch the match victory.

Looking ahead, Illinois will head out on an East Coast road trip for their next two matches. The Illini will first face Maryland on Friday night before a rematch with Rutgers on Sunday afternoon. Rutgers will finish off their season series against Minnesota when they visit the Golden Gophers on Friday. The Scarlet Knights will return home on Sunday to host Illinois again and conclude that season series.

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