Illini Hand Huskies Four Set Setback

Friday, November 14

Urbana-Champaign, Ill.

4:00 PM

University of Washington

10-15,5-10Big Ten

Illinois

13-11,8-7Big Ten

Washington

Illinois

November 14, 2025 | Volleyball

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By: UW Athletic Communications

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Husky volleyball team came out sharp but gradually got worn down by Illinois at Huff Hall tonight, dropping a fourth consecutive four-set match, 25-22, 20-25, 16-25, 13-25. Freshman Simona Mateska led the Huskies with 14 kills.

This was the third match in a row where Washington won the first set but then dropped the next three. The Huskies hit .375 to grab the opening set, but were less efficient in each set thereafter, while Illinois hit over .300 in sets two, three, and four. Illinois (13-11, 8-7 Big Ten) would build big early leads in every set it won, forcing the Huskies to constantly play catch up after the first set.

The Huskies dropped to 10-15 and 5-10 in the Big Ten with five matches to go. Illinois had a 57 to 45 edge in kills and hit .283 overall while UW cooled off to .187 after its strong start. The service line was a big difference as well, as UW had two aces but 11 missed serves, while Illinois missed 11 serves as well but served up seven aces.

Mateska hit .244 with 14 kills on 45 swings and eight digs. Alexa Markley hit .304 with 11 kills and six digs. Kierstyn Barton had 10 kills, hitting .269 to go with nine digs.

Zoria Heard had 14 digs. Katy Wessels had five blocks and a career-high seven digs. Alexis Haury had a double-double with 25 assists and 12 digs, and Taylor Simpson had 12 assists and four digs.

Up Next: The Huskies stay within the Prairie State and visit Northwestern in Evanston on Sunday in a match that starts at 12 noon Pacific, live on Big Ten Plus.