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

12.12.25 - Illini BB Over Vols, FB Commit Michael Clayton, Jr & Michigan Fiasco

Listen

537 - Illini Defeat Ohio State 88-80 on the Road

Listen

536 - Illini Crush Tennessee 75-62 with Huge 2nd Half

Listen

12.5.25 - #21 Illini FB Recruiting Class & Illini Men's BB vs Tenn

Listen

535 Illini FB 2025 Signing Day Special - Insider View

Listen

534 Illini FB 2025 Signing Day Special - Scouting View

Listen

533 Illini FB 2025 Signing Day Special - Reporter View

Listen

532 - Illini Win 8th Game this Season over Northwestern

Listen

Illini Frustration in the Big Apple #531

Listen

Illini FB vs Northwestern for Season Finale, Illini BB vs UConn & Game Predictions - S5Ep16 - 11.28.25 - Seg 1

Listen

Illini Cruise to Victory Over UTRGV 87-73 #530

Listen

Illini Football Preview - Northwestern #529

Listen

Illini Upset by Relentless Badgers 27-10 - #528

Listen

Fighting Illini Crush Long Island 98-58 - #527

Listen

Illini BB Loss to Bama, FB on to Wisconsin & Illini Legend Deon Thomas S5Ep15

Listen