A close finish to Friday night’s game at the Devaney Center, but it still counts as a win.

Illinois, one of the few No. 2 teams to beat Nebraska, will face each other twice this season. Illinois lost to the Huskers for the second time this season in straight sets, 25-17, 25-19 and 28-26.

Nebraska (19-1, 9-0 Big Ten) crushed the ball efficiently, finishing with a .339 batting average and just 12 attack errors. Illinois (13-6, 5-4 Big Ten) beat the Huskers 115-109 but finished the game with fewer kills (41-49) and a lower hitting percentage of .217.

Bergen Reilly was in her pocket, finishing the game with another double-double, 40 assists and 10 digs, while also being more aggressive and recording three kills. Merritt Beason stayed put, scoring six of her 13 kills in the decisive third set. The senior captain was also a sharpshooter from the service line, finishing with four aces.

Andi Jackson and Rebekah Allick attacked well from the middle and finished the game with 11 and six kills, respectively. Jackson added six blocks to her stat line. Harper Murray had a kill and a dig from a nine-hit double-double.

Taylor Landfair got the start at the other outside hitter position but was retired before the media timeout in the third. She finished with four kills while hitting .125. Lindsay Krause stepped in and added three kills in relief.

Raina Terry led Illinois with 15 kills, seven more than the Fighting Illini’s second-leading kill-getter.

Nebraska was quiet in the first two sets, not trailing or even tied in the first, and relinquishing the lead only once in the second

The third game was a different story, with 18 ties and nine lead changes. Nebraska never led by more than two points in the final set.

Nebraska looks to continue Fan Appreciation Weekend by picking up its 10th Big Ten win on Saturday against Michigan. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CDT on BTN+.

Box score

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