After Indiana volleyball faced back-to-back losses against Minnesota on the road and Penn State at home, the Hoosiers aim to get back on track. However, it won’t be easy in Big Ten play as Indiana faces Illinois on the road Wednesday.
This will be Indiana's fourth Big Ten road match, but it’s still seeking its first conference win away from Wilkinson Hall. Overall, the Hoosiers have struggled on the road, going 1-5, with their only victory coming against Kennesaw State University on Aug. 30.
Last year, the Fighting Illini finished 16-14 overall and 11-9 in Big Ten play, tying the Hoosiers for sixth place in the conference. Illinois secured one ranked win, defeating then-No. 16 Purdue in four sets. Indiana and Illinois split their two meetings, with each team winning at home.
This season, the Fighting Illini are 11-5 overall and 3-3 in conference play. Like Indiana, Illinois lost to Oregon and Washington and was swept by Nebraska. The teams will meet twice again this season, with Indiana hosting Illinois on Nov. 29 for its final game of the season.
Illinois ranks 13th in the conference for kills, but graduate student outside hitter Raina Terry is a key offensive player. She ranks fourth in the Big Ten with 260 kills, averaging 4.19 kills per set. Terry has also been named to the Big Ten First-Team the past two seasons.
The Fighting Illini excel behind the service line, ranking third in the conference with 115 aces. Terry and junior setter Brooke Mosher lead the way, tied for third in the Big Ten with 34 aces. Both have improved from last season, when Terry finished with 36 aces and Mosher with 38.
Indiana travels to Illinois for a 7 p.m. match Wednesday at Huff Hall. The match will air on Big Ten Network.
Follow reporter Parker Rodgers (@parrod153) for updates throughout the Indiana volleyball season.
