Illinois Volleyball Left With a Big Void as Star Bids Adieu to Fighting Illini Leaving a Legacy Behind

The Fighting Illini is one of the most coveted names when it comes to the Big Ten conference. Being a founding member of the conference, the Illini expects a lot from its athletes. Only days ago, after their match against Michigan, senior Raina Terry announced she would pursue her dreams at Illinois and wish to help the team get back on its feet. However, another senior has decided to end her stay at the Urbana-Champaign campus, but not before making it to the top-10 list of all-time best blockers for the Illini.

Middle blocker Kennedy Collins is finished with her time wearing the blue and orange stripes and will be venturing to newer territories in the days to come. However, Collins has amassed some incredible records at Illinois, which should etch her name as an Illini legend.

Illinois volleyball star bids adieu

The official Illinois volleyball account has shared the news of Collins’ departure with a post on X. After the seniors’ clean sweep of the Michigan Wolverines two weeks ago, Collins stormed into the Illini record books with her massive performance. In the latest post on X, Collins’s efforts for the Illini have been given a nod. “@kennedykhamil1 finishes her time at Illinois at the number eight spot in career blocks with 475.“, reads the evidently emotional post.

Collins’s record is led by Denise Facaro, who sits in the seventh spot with 499 career blocks. With just four blocks fewer, Erin Johnson follows Collins, but since Johnson left the Illini almost a decade earlier, Collins can rest easy and not be concerned about her spot being usurped any time soon. With Collins’ departure, the Illini will have to look for a new blocker who can fill the big shoes left behind by the former Illini No. 8.

Illinois looking to find its place among its brethren

2023 hasn’t been a great season for the Illini. They ended their regular season with a 16-12 record. In fact, it has been a pretty rough time for a pretty long time. With one of their key blockers out, the Illini will have to buckle up and reclaim their place in the elite group of the Big Ten.

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During the final stages of the regular season, the Fighting Illini triumphed over Rutgers and the Wolverines. However, if they dream of getting back on their feet with resolution, they’ll need to find Collins’ replacement as soon as possible.

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