University of Illinois
3-2,0-0Big Ten
Rice
5-1,0-0American
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
| Rice | 18 | 19 | 14 | 0 |
Fighting Illini Record Resounding Road Sweep Over Rice
September 6, 2026 | Volleyball
RECAP
HOUSTON – Illinois closed its weekend in Houston with a resounding road sweep over Rice at Tudor Fieldhouse on Sunday afternoon.
The Fighting Illini hit .494 as a team, their most efficient percentage since 2018, while securing their second sweep in as many days.
Kristina Starostenko equaled her career-high of 10 kills while swinging at an error-free .714 and adding a team-most four blocks. Paityn Chapman continued her strong start to the season and led the way with 16 kills, three digs, and a block.
Taylor de Boer collected nine kills and two digs, while Alyssa Aguayo filled the stat sheet with eight kills, six digs, and two blocks.
Defensively, Talita Goncalves tallied a team-best 13 digs and added four assists, while Kenna Phelan finished with 38 assists, eight digs, two aces, and a block.
With the Illini holding a 15-12 midway through the opening set, Illinois used a 7-2 run to extend its edge to eight points. The visitors ultimately hit .410 in the frame en route to claiming the set, 25-18.
The Orange and Blue jumped out to a quick 6-1 lead in the second set, forcing the hosts to call an early timeout. The Owls cut their deficit to three, with the Illini going into the media break with a 15-12 edge. With Illinois' advantage up to six, Rice battled back to halve its deficit before the Illini closed the frame on a 4-1 scoring stretch to take the set, 25-19, and double their lead in the match.
Illinois forced the home side to take a timeout with the visitors in front by four early in the third set. The Owls soon used their final stoppage of the afternoon with the Illini advantage up to 13-7. The Orange and Blue's lead never dropped below six the rest of the way, ending the match on a 7-1 run to close out the sweep.
NOTES
- Paityn Chapman recorded a team-high 16 kills along with three digs and a block.
- Had double-digit kills for the fourth time this season.
- Swung at a .560 clip.
- Marked the best attack percentage (min. 12 kills) by an Illini this season.
- Kristina Starostenko secured 10 kills and four blocks.
- Tied her career-high with 10 kills.
- Had double-digit kills for the second time.
- Hit a career-best .714.
- Tied her career-high with four total blocks.
- Has multiple blocks in three appearances this season.
- Tied her career-high with 10 kills.
- Alyssa Aguayo amassed eight kills, six digs, and two blocks.
- Posted multiple blocks for the second time this season.
- Talita Goncalves totaled a team-high 13 digs and four assists.
- Set a new season-best with 13 digs.
- Has double-digit digs in three consecutive matches.
- Set a new season-best with 13 digs.
- Kenna Phelan finished with 38 assists, eight digs, two aces, and a block.
- Tied her career-high with two aces.
- Has at least one ace in four of her five appearances this season.
- Has at least eight digs in four of five matches in 2026.
- Tied her career-high with two aces.
- Illinois posted a .494 hitting percentage as a team.
- The Illini's .494 mark is the team's best since swinging at a .513 clip against Lipscomb on Sept. 15, 2018.
- The Illini hit at least .400 for the second time this season.
- The Illini recorded only four attack errors in the match.
- The Illini's four attack errors are their fewest since registering three against Lipscomb on Sept. 15, 2018.
- The Illini held the Owls to a .198 hitting percentage.
- Illinois handed Rice its first loss of the season.
- Rice was receiving votes in the most recent AVCA poll.
- The Illini are now 3-1 in three-match contests this season.
- The Illini moved to 2-1 against Rice in the all-time series.
- Illinois is 2-0 when playing Rice in true road matches.
- The Illini are now 1-1 when wearing white sleeveless jerseys.
