CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – Illinois volleyball standout Raina Terry has earned a prestigious honor in her final season, being named an AVCA Third Team All-American. This marks the first time in her five-year career with the Fighting Illini that Terry has received All-American recognition from the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA). She becomes the 23rd player in Illinois volleyball history to earn this title.
Terry was an AVCA All-Region honoree and one of five unanimous All-Big Ten First Team selections. The Ohio native finished her career with 2,138 kills, 2,522.0 points, and 220 aces, all of which top the Illinois volleyball record book.
During the regular season, Terry led the Big Ten with an impressive 5.27 points per set and ranked second in the league with 579.5 total points. She also finished third in the conference in both 56 aces and 486 total kills. As of the national semifinals and finals, Terry’s 5.26 points per set remained the best in the Big Ten and ranked 14th nationally, while her 599.5 points ranked second in the league and 15th in the nation.
Terry’s 4.42 kills per set placed her third in the Big Ten and 25th nationally, while her 504 kills on the season ranked fifth in the conference and 24th in the country. Throughout the year, she posted double-digit kills in 30 of 31 matches, including six performances with 20+ kills. Terry led the Illini in kills during 27 matches. Terry is Illinois’ career leader in aces with 220. She is also the only Big Ten player to surpass 2,000 kills and 200 aces, and she currently holds the active career lead in Division I for aces.
In both matches against Nebraska, a national semifinalist, Terry led all players in kills. In the home match against the Huskers, she was the only player to record a double-double, with 13 kills and 10 digs. Against No. 7 Wisconsin, Terry posted a match-high 15 kills while hitting .375—outperforming reigning AVCA Player of the Year Sarah Franklin, who finished with 13 kills and a .250 hitting percentage. Terry also had an outstanding performance against No. 4 Penn State, recording 19 kills while hitting a remarkable .500. The 19 kills were tied for the most allowed by the Nittany Lions at home and were the most allowed by Penn State in a three-set match.
In recognition of her incredible college career, Terry became the first player in Illinois volleyball history to be drafted in the Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF) draft, selected 11th overall by the Columbus Fury on November 25.