University of Illinois
7-3,0-0Big Ten
Arkansas
8-3,0-0SEC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
| Arkansas | 16 | 21 | 17 | 0 |
Illinois Volleyball Secures Sweep Over Arkansas
September 19, 2026 | Volleyball
RECAP
JONESBORO, Ark. – Illinois started its weekend at the Arkansas State Invitational with a sweep of Arkansas at First National Bank Arena on Saturday afternoon.
The Fighting Illini had three players finish with double-digit kills, while the Orange and Blue limited the Razorbacks to a .063 hitting percentage in the three-set triumph.
Alyssa Aguayo led the way with a team-high 13 kills to go alongside eight digs and a .435 hitting percentage. Paityn Chapman posted 12 kills, three digs, two blocks, and two aces, while Taylor de Boer delivered with 11 kills and two blocks.
Kenna Phelan filled the stat sheet with 41 assists, five digs, three blocks, and an ace, while Talita Goncalves added a team-best 23 digs and three assists.
Ashlyn Philpot finished with five blocks and four kills, while Kristina Starostenko collected six kills and three stuffs.
With the Illini holding a 9-8 edge in the opening frame, the Orange and Blue used a 7-2 scoring stretch to establish a 16-10 lead. After the Razorbacks recorded a 3-0 run of their own, Illinois responded by scoring seven of the final eight points of the set to claim the first frame, 25-16.
The Illini jumped out to an 8-4 advantage in the second set, though the Razorbacks responded with a 7-1 stretch to go in front. The Orange and Blue were not behind for long, though, stringing together a 6-0 run to grab a 16-12 edge. The Hogs continued to battle, cutting the Illinois lead to one, but a 6-2 run saw the Illini retake a five-point edge. The Orange and Blue closed out the frame, 25-21, to double their lead in the match.
The sides traded points early in the third set, but an 11-3 scoring run helped the Illini nab a 19-11 edge. Illinois' advantage never dipped under five points the rest of the way, with the Orange and Blue taking the final frame, 25-17, to round out the sweep.
The Fighting Illini (7-3) close nonconference play at Arkansas State on Sunday afternoon, with first serve from First National Bank Arena in Jonesboro, Ark., slated for 1 p.m. CT on ESPN+.
NOTES
- Paityn Chapman posted 12 kills, three digs, two blocks, and two aces
- Now has double-digit kills in eight outings this season.
- Has double-digit kills in six of the last seven matches.
- Recorded multiple aces for the fifth time.
- Has multiple aces in three straight appearances.
- Now has double-digit kills in eight outings this season.
- Alyssa Aguayo led the way with a team-high 13 kills to go alongside eight digs and a .435 hitting percentage.
- Had double-digit kills for the fifth time this year.
- Has 10+ kills in three consecutive matches.
- Hit a season-best .435.
- Had double-digit kills for the fifth time this year.
- Taylor de Boer delivered with 11 kills and two blocks.
- Marked her sixth match with 10+ kills this season.
- Has reached double-digit kills in three straight outings.
- Had multiple blocks for the third time.
- Marked her sixth match with 10+ kills this season.
- Talita Goncalves totaled 23 digs and added three assists.
- Marked her second time this season with 20+ digs.
- Has reached that mark eight times in her collegiate career.
- Now has double-digit digs in eight consecutive matches.
- Marked her second time this season with 20+ digs.
- Kenna Phelan filled the stat sheet with 41 assists, five digs, three blocks, and an ace.
- Has at least 40 assists in four outings this season.
- Her three blocks marked a new season-high.
- Maya Harris amassed two kills, nine digs, two aces, and a block.
- Set a new career-best with her two kills.
- Had at least nine digs for the third time.
- Has posted multiple aces in five outings this season.
- Made the first block of her career.
- The Illini hit .262 as a team while holding the Razorbacks to a .063 mark.
- Illinois held an opponent under .100 for the second time this season.
- Illinois recorded 53 digs in the contest.
- The Illini had 50+ digs for the third time this season.
- The Illini are now 5-2 in three-set contests this season.
- Illinois is now 1-1 against SEC opponents this season.
- The Illini moved to 4-1 in the all-time series against Arkansas.
- The Illini are now 2-0 when wearing orange sleeveless jerseys.
