Illini Volleyball Stuns Defending NCAA Champion Kentucky To Advance to Sweet 16

IlliniGuys Staff

December 4, 2021

(Cover photo NCAA.com)

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Raina Terry recorded 27 kills and Megan Cooney 17 as Illinois stunned defending champion Kentucky 3-1 in the second round of the 2021 NCAA volleyball tournament.

The Wildcats (25-5) were playing on their home court as the 7th seed in the tournament, but ran into a determined Illini squad that wasn't seeded in the tourney but managed to go 12-8 in the rugged Big Ten this season.

Illinois (22-11) dominated the third set 25-10 to take control of the match and go on to clinch the upset in the fourth set.

The Illini advance to the regional semifinals and will face the winner of the Florida State-Nebraska match.

Podcasts

567 Illini Fall to Bruins 95-94 in OT

Listen

2.20.26 - Illini Men's & Women's Hoops Update

Listen

566 Illini Slay Trojans

Listen

565 Illini Defeat Hoosiers 71-51 in Boswell’s Return

Listen

2.13.26 - Illini Hoops Update, Hauck new DC & Pete Babcock

Listen

564 Illini Lead Evaporates in 92-90 OT Loss to Wisconsin

Listen

563 Inside Scoop on New Illini DC Bobby Hauck

Listen

562 Illini Fall 85-82 to MSU in OT

Listen

2.6.26 - Illini Hoops Update, Ayo Traded & Football Coaching Openings

Listen

561 Illini Smash Northwestern Push Win Streak to 12

Listen

560 Illini Defensive Coordinator Search

Listen

559 - #9 Illini Cruise Over #5 Nebraska 78-69

Listen

1.30.26 - Keaton Wagler's Historic Season & More

Listen

558 Illini Win Lifts the Streak to 10

Listen

557 Sturdy & Stevens on the Keaton Wagler Game

Listen