University of Illinois
8-3,0-0Big Ten
Arkansas State
4-7,0-0Sun Belt
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
| Arkansas St. | 15 | 22 | 23 | 0 |
Fighting Illini Finish Nonconference Play With Road Sweep Over Arkansas State
September 20, 2026 | Volleyball
RECAP
JONESBORO, Ark. – Illinois closed its nonconference schedule with a road sweep over Arkansas State at First National Bank Arena on Sunday afternoon.
Heading into Big Ten play on a four-match winning streak, the Fighting Illini secured their sixth sweep of the season.
Paityn Chapman posted her fourth double-double of the season, finishing with a team-high 13 kills, 12 digs, three aces, and two blocks.
Taylor de Boer tallied double-digit kills for the fourth straight match, logging 11 kills and three blocks. Alyssa Aguayo finished her afternoon with nine kills, seven digs, and two blocks.
Kenna Phelan also registered a double-double with her 37 assists, 10 digs, and one kill. Talita Goncalves led the Illini in digs once again, totaling 18 alongside five assists. Maya Harris added eight digs and two aces, while Kristina Starostenko collected seven kills and three blocks.
With Illinois ahead by a 12-8 margin in the opening frame, the visitors began a 6-0 scoring stretch to bring their advantage up to double digits for the first time. A 4-1 run from the Red Wolves cut that edge to seven, but the Orange and Blue finished the frame on a 3-0 streak to take the opener, 25-15.
The Illini trailed by as many as four in the second set but ultimately took the frame to double their lead. Behind 12-8, Illinois strung together a 3-0 run to reduce its deficit to one. Down by three soon after, a 7-1 stretch from the Illini put the away side ahead, 23-20. The Orange and Blue then claimed the frame by a 25-22 margin.
With the sides tied at 16 in the third, the hosts used a 4-0 run to take a 20-16 edge. The Illini answered with a 8-2 run to get to match point, ultimately finishing the frame, 25-23, to complete the sweep.
Illinois (8-3) begins Big Ten play with two home matches next week, starting with #14 Minnesota coming to Champaign on Thursday night. The Fighting Illini will host the Golden Gophers at Huff Hall for a 7 p.m. CT first serve on B1G+.
NOTES
- Paityn Chapman posted a double-double with 13 kills, 12 digs, three aces, and two blocks.
- Recorded her fourth double-double of the season/of her career.
- Now has double-digit kills in nine outings this season.
- Has double-digit kills in seven of the last eight matches.
- Tallied 10+ digs for the fourth time.
- Recorded multiple aces for the sixth time.
- Has multiple aces in four straight appearances.
- Taylor de Boer delivered with 11 kills and three blocks.
- Marked her seventh match with 10+ kills this season.
- Has reached double-digit kills in four straight outings.
- Set a new season-high and tied her career-high with her three blocks.
- Had multiple blocks for the fourth time.
- Has multiple blocks in three consecutive matches.
- Marked her seventh match with 10+ kills this season.
- Kenna Phelan filled the stat sheet with 37 assists, 10 digs, and a kill
- Marked her third double-double of the season.
- Had double-digit digs for the third time.
- Has 10+ digs in three of the last four matches.
- Talita Goncalves totaled 18 digs and added five assists.
- Now has double-digit digs in nine consecutive matches.
- Maya Harris amassed eight digs and two aces, and a block.
- Has posted multiple aces in six outings this season.
- Has 2+ aces in three consecutive appearances.
- Has posted multiple aces in six outings this season.
- Illinois recorded 60 digs in the contest.
- The Illini had 60+ digs for the third time this season.
- Illinois' 60 digs were its most in a three-set match this season.
- The Illini had 60+ digs for the third time this season.
- The Illini are now 6-2 in three-set contests this season.
- Illinois is now 3-2 in true road matches this season.
- The Illini moved to 3-0 in the all-time series against Arkansas State.
- The Illini are now 1-0 when wearing white long-sleeve jerseys.
