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

Illini Crush Western Michigan - #502

Listen

IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular - $100 Million Donation, Illini Football Update & Canelo vs Crawford S5Ep5 - 9.12.25

Listen

Illinois Football Preview - Western Michigan - #501

Listen

Illini Destroy Duke 45-19 #500

Listen

Illini FB at Duke & Arch Panic - S5Ep4 - 9.5.25

Listen

Illini Football Preview versus Duke - #499

Listen

Illini Destroy Leathernecks 52-3 - #498

Listen

Illini FB is Here, So Is Petrovic & Illini in NFL - S5Ep3 - 8.29.25

Listen

I on the Illini - Western Illinois Preview #497

Listen

Illini FB & BB Updates & Phil Steele on the 2025 Illini FB Season - S5Ep2 - 8.22.25

Listen

1st Show of 5th Season, Illini FB Ranked #12 - S5Ep1 - 8.15.25

Listen

The Top 5 Illini Basketball Coaches in IlliniGuy Memory - #496

Listen

Greg Glass – NIL Primer & Can Fanstake.com Help Attract & Retain Athletic Talent - #495

Listen

Interviews with Bret Bielema, Cam Crocker & Matt Stevens - S4Ep52 - 8.8.25

Listen

Illini FB Coach Bret Bielema Chats with Mike & Rob Louthain Talks NIL & Illini Media - #494

Listen