CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – In 2024, Ashlyn Philpot became the first Illini freshman middle to post a double-double in a match since 2015.

Philpot notched 11 kills and 10 blocks against Illinois State early in her first season of college volleyball.

The Greenville, N.C. native led the team with 126 blocks in 2024. As she gears up for her sophomore campaign with the Illini, head coach Chris Tamas believes more of the same is on the way.

“She had amazing season, being all freshman team and we’re we’re challenging her to become a better blocker,” Tamas said. “I think that’s probably the toughest thing to handle as a freshman coming in the Big Ten as a middle blocker. And so we challenged her that in the spring, she’s doing a great job. So I expect to see better blocking from her and continue her offensive success.”

Philpot was also fourth on the team with 215 kills last year. Raina Terry (504 kills in 2024) graduated and Laynie Smith (244) hit the portal, so Philpot could be charged with spiking the ball more often as a sophomore.

Illinois volleyball opens its 2025 campaign on Friday, Aug. 29 with a neutral site contest against South Dakota State in Cedar Falls, Iowa.