CAMPAIGN – Chris Tamas has modified his lineup and rotation just a few occasions this season.
That included utilizing her backup setters, first Vivian Campbell after which Raegen Reilly for many of the season, to liberate Brooke Mosher to hit first. A more moderen change has been the transfer to a three-mid rotation to deliver Taylor de Boer onto the sphere in an try to surrender the next share.
Tamas needed to pivot to a 6-2 rotation — extra necessity than experimentation — in Sunday's sport in opposition to then-No. 7 Wisconsin with Mosher not 100 p.c wholesome. The redshirt junior setter solely performed within the again row and didn’t skip serves.
“We needed to at the least give it a shot at 5-1, however Brooke received hit a little bit bit,” Tamas mentioned. “Usually we use it to swing a little bit bit and we simply haven't been ready to do this in the previous couple of video games. We have been good in opposition to Northwestern. (Sunday) we knew we had an even bigger problem forward of us. A much bigger problem forward of us.”
A problem Illinois (15-7, 7-5 Large Ten) couldn’t meet in entrance of a capability crowd of four,532 at Huff Corridor. The Illini pushed the Badgers (16-5, 10-2) within the second set, however couldn't convert 4 set-point alternatives in what became a 25-16, 26-24, 25-17 Wisconsin.
“You all the time must know the place your staff is at,” Tamas mentioned of shifting to 6-2. “Brooke isn’t feeling 100%. See this. Tay had an excellent observe and had some nice swings. It's about making an attempt to win the rotation battle each time we're on the market. In the event that they may help us get some extent, so long as it's within the secondary, we'll attempt to use it.”
Sunday marked the primary time Illinois used a 6-2 in a sport this season. Training it, which the Illini did, is one factor. Making use of it in opposition to a Prime 10 staff is one other.
“It offers us extra hitting choices, which I believe is nice in opposition to stronger groups,” mentioned Illinois exterior hitter Raina Terry, who had a match-high 15 kills. “We will observe it a little bit extra, get a little bit extra comfy with it.”
“I’ve whole confidence in Raegen and I’ve confidence in Taylor on the precise aspect,” Mosher added. “I don't suppose it's a sport changer for anybody. If something, it should carry us up and provides us confidence in each Raegen and Taylor to make us a little bit bit higher.”