The University of Illinois volleyball team entered their November 1 matchup against Northwestern looking to extend their winning streak to six matches. At 13-10 overall and 8-5 in Big Ten play, the Fighting Illini found themselves in a tough spot in the conference standings with the postseason approaching.
The most crucial scores came from a variety of players, including Brooke Mosher, Kayla Burbage, Kennedy Collins, and Jess Nunge. However, it was Raina Terry who catapulted Illini to victory and hit a career milestone in a single night of volleyball.
Raina Terry, who has committed another year to Illini volleyball, has established herself as the team’s offensive cornerstone over her decorated four-year career in Champaign-Urbana. She entered the November 1 match with the second-highest number of kills per set in the Big10, only trailing Emily Londot of Ohio State.
Terry smashed a season-high 22 kills on the night, powering Illinois to a 25-23, 25-22, 25-23 victory and extending their current win streak to six matches. The dominant performance included her 1,500th career kill in the first set, cementing her place among the program’s all-time greats.
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Raina Delivered Many Times Over
With a .290 hitting percentage and 3.52 kills per set on the season, Raina Terry led the way to a 3-0 sweep for the University of Illinois Fighting Illini volleyball team against Northwestern. From the opening serve, it was clear that the Marengo, Ohio native was primed for a big night at Huff Hall.
She came out firing on all cylinders against the Wildcats and smashed home six of Illini’s first ten points to give them an early lead. Northwestern countered by focusing their blocking on Terry, but she showed off the full array of shots in her arsenal. A well-placed tip here, a sharp cross-court kill there – Terry continually kept the Wildcat defense guessing.
By the midway point of the first set, she had already scored double-digit kills. This offensive onslaught continued throughout the play as she consistently found seams in the block. She mixed up her attacks from the left, right, and back row to keep Northwestern off balance.
The six-foot-three outside hitter eventually tallied a season-high 22 kills per set, a humbling record that came on a blazing .370 hitting clip, demonstrating why she remains one of the most revered attackers in the Big Ten.
Raina Terry Now Tenth All-Time in Program History
Her season best record of 22 kills not only delivered a crucial win in a match that the Fighting Illini needed to bag. It also helped Terry set another career highlight on her seventh kill in front of a 2,023-strong Huff Hall crowd.
With the win, Terry’s career total now stands at 1,515 kills. This passed former Illini teammate Megan Cooney to place her 10th on the program’s leaderboard. When asked about the milestone, Terry gave credit to her teammates and coach Krista Hendrickson for their roles in her success.
Coach Chris Tamas praised Terry’s complete offensive game and ability to overcome defensive schemes targeting her. Her dedication and prowess on the court remind us of Illinois greats like James Lewis, a 67-year-old athlete who won a silver medal in the men’s basketball games organized by the National Senior Games.
Fighting Illini Current Season a Mixed Bag
Those looking for a sports betting edge should note that the Illinois Fighting Illini women’s volleyball team has had an up-and-down season in 2023. They currently have a record of 14-15 and are in 10th place in the Big Ten Conference. The Illini have shown flashes of brilliance this season, but they have also struggled to put together consistent performances. They are a young team with a lot of talent, so they have the potential to be a force to be reckoned with in the years to come.
One of the Illini’s biggest strengths this season has been their offense. They are averaging 12.47 kills per set, which ranks fourth in the Big Ten. They have also been efficient on the attack, hitting .227 as a team. The Illini have three players who are averaging over three kills per set: junior outside hitter Taya Caccamo, sophomore outside hitter Megan Hehlen, and freshman middle blocker Jessica Poulter.
The Illini’s biggest weakness this season has been their passing. They are averaging 2.08 receiving errors per set, which ranks eighth in the Big Ten. The Illini’s passing has hurt them in close games, as they have lost several matches by five points or less. They dropped points against No.1 Nebraska and Ohio State, according to Sports Illustrated.
Looking Ahead
With the sweep of Northwestern complete, Illinois turned their attention to their upcoming showdown with Wisconsin. The Badgers had handed the Illini a straight-set defeat back on September 28th in their first meeting of the season.
Much has changed for this Illinois squad in the two months since. They are playing with increased confidence, chemistry, and understanding of their roles.
Terry believes this Illinois team is better equipped to challenge the mighty Badgers in round two. She will once again be relied upon as the primary offensive weapon if Illinois hopes to pull off the upset.
But with Terry playing at an All-American level and the team meshing into a cohesive unit, they have reason for optimism. The rematch in Madison on November 5th was equally electric as two of the Big Ten’s top programs battled for conference positioning.
Conclusion
Terry came out firing on all cylinders against the Wildcats, tallying a season-high 22 kills on the night. Her 1,500th career kill places her in elite company among Illini greats like Debbie Green, Michelle Bartsch-Hackley, and Megan Cooney. While she paid tribute to their past excellence, Terry has her sights set even higher as she looks to add to her school records in her final few months wearing the orange and blue.
