University of Illinois
11-6,3-3Big Ten
Purdue
10-5,3-3Big Ten
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 25 | 18 | 25 | 26 | 12 | 2 |
| Purdue | 22 | 25 | 14 | 28 | 15 | 3 |
#24 Illinois Falls in Five-Set Thriller at #16 Purdue
October 11, 2026 | Volleyball
RECAP
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – #24 Illinois battled from start to finish but ultimately fell short in a back-and-forth five-set road defeat at #16 Purdue on Sunday night.
The Fighting Illini won the first and third frames and cut a late deficit to a single point in the fifth as the Orange and Blue moved to 11-6 overall and 3-3 in Big Ten play.
Four players finished with double-digit kills, including three Illini with 15. Madi Miles and Kristina Starostenko both finished with a career-high 15 kills, while Alyssa Aguayo tallied a double-double with 15 kills and 14 digs. Paityn Chapman posted a double-double of her own with 12 kills and 14 digs.
Defensively, Talita Goncalves totaled a team-best 25 digs, while Maya Harris had 10 digs of her own. Kenna Phelan dished out 52 assists and added nine digs, four blocks, and three kills.
The first set featured a back-and-forth frame that saw 18 ties, three lead changes, and neither side go ahead by more than three. Each team posted one 3-0 mini run, but it was the Illini who ultimately claimed the frame. With the set tied at 21, the Orange and Blue scored three of the final four points to take the opener, 25-22.
After Purdue took the second set, the Illini bounced back to claim the third frame in commanding fashion. With the Boilermakers ahead by one, the visitors used an 8-1 run to take a 14-8 advantage. After the home side cut its deficit to four, a 6-1 stretch from Illinois moved that edge to 21-12. A 4-1 run to close the set saw the Illini take the frame by a 25-14 margin.
The Boilermakers ultimately secured the final two frames as the Illini fell in five in their sixth straight match against a ranked opponent.
Illinois (11-6, 3-3 B1G) returns to Huff Hall for two home contests next week, starting with the team's pink match against #22 Michigan State on Thursday night. First serve is slated for 6 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network, while tickets are available at FightingIllini.com.
NOTES
- Madi Miles finished with 15 kills, two digs, and a block.
- Her 15 kills marked a new career-high.
- Had double-digit kills for the first time in her collegiate career.
- Entered the night with 10 career kills.
- Had multiple digs for the second time.
- Marked the first block of her career.
- Her 15 kills marked a new career-high.
- Kristina Starostenko secured 15 kills, five digs, and three blocks.
- Set a new career-high with her 15 kills.
- Had 10+ kills for the sixth time.
- Has double-digit kills in three of the last four matches.
- Tallied a career-high five digs.
- Now has multiple blocks in 14 consecutive outings.
- Set a new career-high with her 15 kills.
- Alyssa Aguayo logged a double-double with 15 kills, 14 digs, an ace, and a block.
- Was her second double-double of the season and the 13th of her career.
- Both double-doubles this season have come on the road against ranked teams.
- Has 10+ kills in nine matches this season.
- Has double-digit kills in four of the last five matches.
- Has 10+ digs in four matches this season.
- Was her second double-double of the season and the 13th of her career.
- Paityn Chapman posted a double-double with 12 kills, 14 digs, two blocks, and an ace.
- Was her sixth double-double of the season/of her career.
- Had 10+ kills for the 13th time.
- Registered 10+ digs for the eighth time.
- Has double-digit digs in four of the last five matches.
- Has multiple blocks in eight straight appearances.
- Was her sixth double-double of the season/of her career.
- Kenna Phelan filled the stat sheet with 52 assists, nine digs, four blocks, and three kills.
- Had 50+ assists for the second time this season.
- Set a new season-high with four blocks.
- Has multiple blocks in five outings.
- Talita Goncalves totaled 25 digs along with five assists and a kill.
- Secured the ninth 20-dig outing of her career.
- Has 20+ digs in three matches this season.
- Now has double-digit digs in 14 of the last 15 matches.
- Marked her first kill of the season and the second of her career.
- Secured the ninth 20-dig outing of her career.
- Maya Harris finished with 10 digs, three assists, two kills, and an ace.
- Had 10+ digs for the fourth time this season.
- Tied her career-high with two kills.
- Has multiple kills in three outings.
- Illinois' 67 assists as a team marked a new season-best output.
- The Illini are now 1-2 in five-set contests this season.
- Illinois is now 4-4 in true road matches this season.
- The Illini are now 3-4 against ranked opponents this season.
- The Illini are now 3-2 when wearing white sleeveless jerseys.
