Volleyball Recap: Illini Central Comes Up Short

Illini Central was not able to break out of their rough patch on Thursday as the team picked up their seventh straight loss. They took a 2-0 hit to the loss column at the hands of the PORTA/Ashland-Chandlerville Central Bluejays. The result was an unpleasant reminder to the Cougars of the 2-1 defeat they experienced in the pair's previous head-to-head fixture back in October of 2024.

Illini Central was held off the scoreboard, but that almost wasn't the case: they kept the second set very close. The final score came out to 25-21, 25-22.

Morgan Peterson

Digs

10/16/25 vs PORTA/Ashland-Chandlerville Central	21
10/14/25 @ Williamsville	10
10/09/25 vs Pleasant Plains	20
10/07/25 @ Auburn	17
10/02/25 vs Athens	17
+ 7 more games

When it comes to explaining why Illini Central lost, don't look at Morgan Peterson. Despite the final result, she had 21 digs and two aces. Peterson is on a roll when it comes to digs, as she's now had ten or more in each of the last 12 games she's played. Another player making a difference was Mallori Thomas, who had ten digs and ten assists.

Jaycee Gusemann was a one-woman wrecking crew For PORTA/Ashland-Chandlerville Central. as she had 13 digs and three aces.

Illini Central's loss dropped their record down to 3-22. As for PORTA/Ashland-Chandlerville Central, their victory ended a three-match drought on the road and puts them at 6-16.

Illini Central wasted no time getting back out on the court and has already played their next match, a 2-1 win against Astoria/VIT on the 18th. As for PORTA/Ashland-Chandlerville Central, they have also already played their next matchup, a 2-1 victory against South County on the 17th.