WICHITA, Kan. — A slow start against Kentucky didn’t keep No. 7 Illinois from adding a second consecutive win against a Top 25 team to its season résumé. The Illini needed a brief push into extra points in the first set but still managed a 26-24, 25-19, 25-18 sweep of the No. 21 Wildcats in their first match of the Shocker Classic.
“We’re not used to playing in (an early match),” Illinois coach Kevin Hambly said about his team’s slow start against Kentucky.
The Illini also had some travel delays that meant a later-than-expected arrival in Wichita.