WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – With the sweep of Illinois, No. 8 Purdue volleyball (14-5) won its fifth straight match (and 12 of its last 13), downing the Fighting Illini 25-10, 27-25, 25-20.
The Boilermakers recorded a .352 hitting %, the third-best efficiency rating this season. Defensively, Purdue tallied 56 digs and 12 total blocks, seven of which were notched in the first set, on the team's way to victory.
Freshman Taylor Trammell matched a career-high 10 kills in the victory, joining senior Caitlyn Newton to lead the team. Additionally, the newcomer recorded eight block assists in the outing.
Meanwhile Jena Otec's 23 digs is just two shy of the program record in three setters (25 last by Kelli Miller, 2006). The senior libero is just the sixth Boilermaker in program history to record at least 23 digs in a single match.
With the win, No. 8 Purdue improves to 6-2 at home, with all six victories coming in sweeping fashion.
Set One | 25-10
In the 20-minute set, Purdue recorded seven total blocks, six of which included Trammell, on its way to the most decisive set-victory of the season. The Boilermakers took a quick 7-0 lead to open the match, including three straight kills from Grace Cleveland, and never looked back. No. 8 Purdue finished out the set with no tied scores or lead changes.
Set Two | 27-25
Otec recorded two consecutive aces to help Purdue get off to a 5-1 run to start the set. Illinois gradually fought back, bringing the score within two (18-16) to force a Purdue timeout. The Illini continued its attack, bringing the score to the closest yet of the night, 20-19, however a kill by Newton and Koch spur a four-point run to give Purdue match point (24-19). Illinois refused to give Purdue its final point, storming out to a 6-0 run to force extra points. Grace Cleveland broke the 25-25 stalemate before Newton recorded a kill and sealed the set win with a block assists alongside Trammell.
Set Three | 25-20
Despite a 3-0 Illinois lead, Purdue regained the advantage with a 7-2 run, which included a pair of kills from Newton. When Illinois came within one point of the Boilermakers (7-6), Koch recorded a key kill, then again to break the 9-9 tie to maintain Purdue's lead. Jael Johnson hit a string of kills, giving Purdue the momentum needed to pull away (15-11). Despite Illinois cutting the lead once more to 22-20, Cleveland put two straight away before Otec aced the match point.
Up Next
The regular season finale is slated for tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network.
The Boilermakers recorded a .352 hitting %, the third-best efficiency rating this season. Defensively, Purdue tallied 56 digs and 12 total blocks, seven of which were notched in the first set, on the team's way to victory.
Freshman Taylor Trammell matched a career-high 10 kills in the victory, joining senior Caitlyn Newton to lead the team. Additionally, the newcomer recorded eight block assists in the outing.
Meanwhile Jena Otec's 23 digs is just two shy of the program record in three setters (25 last by Kelli Miller, 2006). The senior libero is just the sixth Boilermaker in program history to record at least 23 digs in a single match.
With the win, No. 8 Purdue improves to 6-2 at home, with all six victories coming in sweeping fashion.
Set One | 25-10
In the 20-minute set, Purdue recorded seven total blocks, six of which included Trammell, on its way to the most decisive set-victory of the season. The Boilermakers took a quick 7-0 lead to open the match, including three straight kills from Grace Cleveland, and never looked back. No. 8 Purdue finished out the set with no tied scores or lead changes.
Set Two | 27-25
Otec recorded two consecutive aces to help Purdue get off to a 5-1 run to start the set. Illinois gradually fought back, bringing the score within two (18-16) to force a Purdue timeout. The Illini continued its attack, bringing the score to the closest yet of the night, 20-19, however a kill by Newton and Koch spur a four-point run to give Purdue match point (24-19). Illinois refused to give Purdue its final point, storming out to a 6-0 run to force extra points. Grace Cleveland broke the 25-25 stalemate before Newton recorded a kill and sealed the set win with a block assists alongside Trammell.
Set Three | 25-20
Despite a 3-0 Illinois lead, Purdue regained the advantage with a 7-2 run, which included a pair of kills from Newton. When Illinois came within one point of the Boilermakers (7-6), Koch recorded a key kill, then again to break the 9-9 tie to maintain Purdue's lead. Jael Johnson hit a string of kills, giving Purdue the momentum needed to pull away (15-11). Despite Illinois cutting the lead once more to 22-20, Cleveland put two straight away before Otec aced the match point.
Up Next
The regular season finale is slated for tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network.