CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Efficiency and sound defense were the keys to a sweep as No. 11 Purdue volleyball exacted its revenge, downing Illinois 25-19, 26-16, 25-14 on its home court. The Boilermakers allowed just 49 total Illini points in the match, the second-fewest in the programs’ rivalry since rally-scoring began.
With the win, Purdue improves to 16-3 (7-2 Big Ten) while Illinois, a team receiving votes in the AVCA poll, fall to 12-6 (7-2 Big Ten). Additionally, Purdue remains undefeated on the road at 8-0.
The Boilermakers will return to Holloway Gymnasium for the first time 14 days on Sunday to host No. 20 Minnesota in the first of two matchups against the Gophers this season. The top-25 showdown is slated to start at 1 p.m. ET on B1G+.
Boiler Notes
- The Boilermakers allowed just 49 total Illinois points in the match, the second-fewest in the programs’ rivalry history since rally-scoring began (record: 46 points in 2023).
- Purdue hit over .400 in two of the three sets with a .433 attack % in Set 1 and a .444 attack % in the third set.
- Purdue’s defensive efforts were stellar, out-blocking Illinois 12-1 and out-digging the host team 44-39. As a team, Purdue committed zero reception errors after facing 47 serves. It was the first time this season Illinois was kept from recording an ace.
- Taylor Anderson ran the offense to a .376 team hitting % in the match while racking up a double-double 32 assists, a team-leading 11 digs, team-leading four blocks and two kills.
- Purdue’s eight attack errors in the match were the second-lowest committed this season.
- Purdue came out with a fast pace of play in the opening game, hitting .433% as a team behind just two attack errors. Between Grace Heaney and Kenna Wollard, the hitters combined for 12 kills, 1 error on 19 swings as Heaney hit .667% and Wollard .455%.
- Three Boilermakers reached double-digit kills: Heaney (16), Wollard (12) and Akasha Anderson (11).
- Grace Heaney led the team for the second consecutive match with a .536 hitting clip, 16 kills and one attack error on 28 swings. She nearly posted a double-double with seven digs and added three blocks.
- Dior Charles went errorless on the attack with four kills and a .400 attack % and tied T. Anderson with a team-leading five blocks.
- Ryan McAleer reached 10 digs.
- Purdue’s .376 attack % was the most efficient offense the Illini has faced this season and Purdue’s 12 blocks were the second-most blocks allowed.
- The Boilers improve to a 7-2 record against opponents ranked or receiving votes in the AVCA poll.