Packed in Huff, sellout crowd for No. 2 Nebraska

Illinois volleyball fans can watch on October 3rd the same team that had a six-game winning streak to start the season. Or you look at the team that suffered two defeats in the last few matches. Illinois volleyball hosts No. 2 Nebraska in Champaign at 6 p.m. This home conference opener will be a sold-out game at Huff Hall.

The Illini finally return home after their month-long break from Huff Hall. Because of this, there are many questions about the Illini's performance in their first Big Ten home game.

The team's overall record is 8-4. Three of Illinois' losses came to ranked opponents: No. 11 Oregon, No. 23 Dayton and No. 25 Washington. The Big Ten has eight programs ranked in the NCAA's top 25.

John Cook is head coach of women's volleyball at Nebraska. Since 2000, Cook has created a volleyball dynasty in Cornhusker country. The program boasts five national championships, four of which came under Cook's coaching.

The Cornhuskers have reached 13 conference titles, 11 NCAA semifinals and eight NCAA finals under Cook. Last year, Nebraska made history when it set a world record in volleyball on August 30th. Over 90,000 fans packed Memorial Stadium to watch Nebraska defeat Omaha 3-0.

On the home side, head coach Chris Tamas is in his eighth season leading the Illinois volleyball program. He holds a personal record of 131-81 and a conference record of 80-58. The Illini have also qualified for the NCAA Tournament four times under Tamas, plus three NCAA Regional appearances and the Final Four in 2018.

Tamas is an experienced coach, but he still has a lot of work to do against the Huskers. Nebraska recently had four players named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association watch list for the 2024 Division I Player of the Year. That includes second-year outside hitter Harper Murray, who won the Big Ten Freshman of the Year award in 2023. She is now averaging 3.18 kills and 2.30 digs per set this season.

From squad to squad it seems to be an even duel. Since Illinois' tallest player is 6-foot-1 and Nebraska's tallest player is 6-foot-1, there will be some competition at the net. Illinois outside hitter Raina Terry has been dominant with her kills this season. Likewise, first-year middle blocker Ashlyn Philpot made great blocks for the Illini. Fans will be rooting for Huff and hoping Illinois' talent is enough to stop the Cornhuskers.

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