FORT COLLINS — The opener was no easy chore for Colorado State's volleyball team, as the No. 25 Rams hosted No. 12 Illinois at Moby Arena on Friday night. Down 2-0, CSU was able to force a fifth set, eventually falling 25-16. 25-14, 18-25, 27-25, 15-11 to the Illini.
Breana Runnels led CSU with 17 kills in the match, but she was the only Ram to finish in double figures as the team hit just .137 on the night. Middles Kirstie Hillyer (nine kills) and Paulina Hougaard-Jensen posted nine and eight, respectively, as setter Katie Oleksak closed with 35 assists.