Fighting Illini Top Northern Illinois in Season Opener

DEKALB, Ill. – Illinois volleyball began its season with a victory against Northern Illinois at the Convocation Center on Saturday evening.

The Fighting Illini improved to 1-0 this season while NIU dropped to 0-2 in 2023.

Illinois posted 54 kills with a .280 hitting percentage during the triumph over the Huskies. Raina Terry led the way offensively for the Illini, tallying 19 kills to start her senior campaign. Defensively, Kennedy Collins boasted six blocks during the four-set match. Lily Barry logged 27 digs during her collegiate debut, and the libero paced the Orange and Blue with three aces.

How it happened

Illinois opened the match in a back-and-forth battle with the Fighting Illini leading, 15-13, at the media break. After a four-point rally by the Huskies left Illinois trailing, 21-19, the Orange and Blue called their final timeout of the set. Despite holding the Huskies to a .125 hitting clip, the Illini dropped the opening set, 25-22.

Looking to rebound in the…