Big block helps Illinois win fifth straight

CHAMPAIGN — Some things never change about Illinois volleyball.

Raina Terry will always be a menace at outside hitter. Something the two-time All-Big Ten selection has proven again this fall as one of the top attackers in the conference.

The Illini are also going to get stellar floor defense from veteran libero Christy Martinez Mundo and have a weapon in their high risk, high reward service game when Brooke Mosher is dialed in with her jump topspin serve.

All of that was on display Sunday afternoon in Illinois’ three-set sweep of Maryland in front of a Huff Hall crowd of 2,868 fans and one two-time Olympic medalist Jordyn Poulter. Terry finished with 15 kills in the Illini’s 28-26, 25-17, 25-23 victory, Martinez Mundo had a match-high 11 digs and Mosher served five of her team’s eight aces.

But a new constant during what’s now five-match winning streak for Illinois (13-5, 5-3 Big Ten) has been a more consistent block. The Illini had 12 against Maryland. Their fourth straight match in double figures, which stands as the longest such run of effective defense at the net this season.

“We’re working on it hard in practice, so it’s nice that it’s showing up in the game, which is obviously the goal,” Cari Bohm said. The Illini redshirt sophomore middle blocker’s eight blocks were the most she’s ever had in Big Ten play and was one off her career high set earlier this season against Western Kentucky.

“It’s nice to get a block, but even when we don’t get a block as long as it’s a solid setup we’re helping our defense out,” Bohm continued. “There’s a technical element, too, but I think a lot of it is the mentality of we’re going to be a blocking-focused team. We’re going to go get that ball, and we’re going to shut them down.”

Bohm was one of four Illinois players with multiple blocks in Sunday’s sweep. Freshman opposite Laynie Smith had six, Terry finished with four and freshman middle blocker Ashlyn Philpot added three.

“They’re awesome,” Terry said of Bohm and Philpot anchoring the Illini block in the middle. “They can read the game like a book. They know what they’re looking at, and (assistant coach Jen Tamas) does a great job of telling them where to be and setting themselves up for success, too.”

Illinois’ shift to more consistent blocking has come after an added emphasis in practice the last few weeks. Illini coach Chris Tamas spent the early part of the season trying to get major systems like serve/pass, floor defense and his offense installed. Limited by time in the short run-up to the season and then by road trips every weekend in nonconference play, those aspects took priority.

“You’ve always got to pick your battles what you’re going to work on, and I felt like that was more important,” Chris Tamas said. “After I felt our offense was in a good spot, we’ve been a lot more focused on defense — blocking in specific — and I think it’s showing right now.”