Illini Volleyball 2026

#82      
oldman
cowcards said:
Anyone know why such the turnaround now and is it sustainable or is it just a nice stretch?
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Excellent question. While putting Ashlyn back in the starting rotation certainly helped, particularly giving Kenna more and better options which she has done a great job of using to take advantage of what opponents are giving us, I think the biggest difference is the back row hustle has dramatically improved. Defense is, first of all, hard work. Paying attention to the play on the other side of the net. The players are getting down before the other team attacks rather than while the ball is heading towards them, which makes being in the right place and ready much easier. Being ready and hustle. What outlandish concepts.
 
#83      
Barfolomew
Sometimes it takes several matches for a team to jell, but why Philpot played so little to start the year was a head scratcher.
Fun to see them doing so well - confidence is great asset in the sport of volleyball!
 
#84      
Doc I
Barfolomew said:
Sometimes it takes several matches for a team to jell, but why Philpot played so little to start the year was a head scratcher.
Fun to see them doing so well - confidence is great asset in the sport of volleyball!
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She was recovering from an injury
 
#85      
oldman
Doc I said:
She was recovering from an injury
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In my opinion, without any hard facts, I feel there was more going on. On Friday against Marquette in Milwaukee she played one rotation in each set and showed no sign of the injury, but sat almost all of the match. On Sunday in Champaign she started and played full time. Miraculous recovery in under 48 hours. Of course, there is no way we will ever know.
 
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