University of Illinois
17-8,9-5Big Ten
Indiana
14-9,7-7Big Ten
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 29 | 25 | 28 | 3 |
| Indiana | 27 | 19 | 26 | 0 |
November 8, 2026 | Volleyball
RECAP
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Illinois secured its second ranked road sweep of the season, defeating #21 Indiana in straight sets away from home on Sunday afternoon.
With three Fighting Illini finishing with double-digit kills, the 29-27, 25-19, 28-26 victory saw the Orange and Blue improve to 17-8 overall and 9-5 in Big Ten play.
Alyssa Aguayo and Madi Miles both finished with 15 kills, while Paityn Chapman posted a double-double with 14 kills and 11 digs. All three players hit at a .380 clip or better.
Sophi Randall registered 26 assists and two digs, while Kenna Phelan finished with 19 assists and five digs. Talita Goncalves totaled a team-high 13 digs and added three assists.
Gabriella Pitcel posted three aces, two kills, and a solo block. Kristina Starostenko collected five kills and a team-high six blocks.
With the Hoosiers holding an early three-point lead, the Illini used a 4-0 run to go in front, 9-8. The sides traded points for the remainder of the frame, but it was Indiana that reached set point first. The visitors fought off a total of five set points, closing the frame on a 3-0 run to claim the opener, 29-27.
Carrying its momentum into the second set, the Illini put together three separate 3-0 runs and went into the media timeout with a 15-13 edge. A 3-0 Hoosier stretch briefly put the home side in front, but Illinois closed the set on an 8-1 run to take the set, 25-19, and double its lead in the match.
A 4-0 run early in the third set saw the Illini grab a three-point advantage, but the Hoosiers countered with a 3-0 run to even the frame at 9-9. Down by one at the media break, the Illini used a 6-3 stretch to grab a 20-18 edge before Indiana accounted for the next three points to retake a slight lead. The hosts were unable to take advantage of two set points as the Orange and Blue ended the night on a 4-1 run to seal the set, 28-26, and the match.
Illinois (17-8, 9-5 Big Ten) remains on the road to take on #1 Nebraska on Thursday night. The Fighting Illini will take on the undefeated Huskers at 6 p.m. CT.
NOTES
- Alyssa Aguayo recorded 15 kills, six digs, and a block.
- Had 15+ kills for the sixth time this season.
- Logged her 14th outing with double-digit kills.
- Swung at a .382 clip.
- Had 15+ kills for the sixth time this season.
- Paityn Chapman posted 14 kills, 11 digs, and a block.
- Had the 11th double-double of the season/her career.
- Recorded 10+ digs for the 12th time this season.
- Totaled 10+ kills for the 20th time this season.
- Has secured a double-double in five of the last six matches.
- Swung at a .387 clip.
- Had the 11th double-double of the season/her career.
- Madi Miles logged 15 kills, two digs, and a block.
- Tied her career-high with 15 kills.
- Has tallied 15 kills in six matches this season.
- Had double-digit kills for the seventh time.
- Recorded her third solo block of the season.
- Swung at a .414 clip.
- Tied her career-high with 15 kills.
- Kristina Starostenko collected five kills and six total blocks.
- Had at least six blocks for the fourth time this season.
- Set a new career-high with her three solo blocks.
- Had multiple solo stuffs for the second time.
- Set a new career-high with her three solo blocks.
- Had at least six blocks for the fourth time this season.
- Talita Goncalves tallied 13 digs and three assists.
- Had double-digit digs for the 20th time this season.
- Gabriella Pitcel posted two kills, three aces, and a block.
- Set a new career-high with two kills.
- Entered the day with one career kill.
- Registered a career-most three aces.
- Had not previously served at the college level.
- Logged the first solo block of her career.
- Set a new career-high with two kills.
- Illinois limited Indiana to a .167 hitting percentage, the Hoosiers' second-worst mark this season and lowest at home in 2026.
- The Illini secured their fifth ranked victory of the season, their most since the 2018 season when they had 12.
- All five ranked wins have come during Big Ten play.
- Illinois secured its third ranked sweep of the season and its second on the road.
- With the win, head coach Chris Tamas now has the third-most wins by a head coach in program history.
- 1. Mike Hebert (1983-1995) - 323
- 2. Don Hardin (1996-2008) - 234
- 3. Chris Tamas (2017-) - 179
- 4. Kevin Hambly (2009-16) - 178
- The Illini fought off a total of seven set points during the contest.
- Illinois moved to 7-4 in true road matches this season.
- The Illini are now 11-3 in three-set contests this season.
- The Illini are now 3-0 when wearing white long-sleeve jerseys.
