CHAMPAIGN — Alyssa Aguayo has made an impression in the first three weeks of her Illinois volleyball career producing at a level, as a true freshman, that’s put her in the company of some of the best to do it in orange and blue.

Aguayo’s 10 kills and 19 digs in the season opener against South Dakota State made her the first true freshman with a double-double in their debut since Laura DeBruler in 2007. Aguayo putting down double-digit kills in each of her first six matches was a feat last accomplished by an Illinois freshman in 2016 when Jacqueline Quade had a similar run.

Aguayo has become a go-to option in Illinois’ attack in the same way redshirt sophomore outside hitter Taylor de Boer, sophomore middle blocker Ashlyn Philpot and redshirt sophomore opposite Auburn Tomkinson have in the Illini’s balanced offense.

But what has impressed Illinois coach Chris Tamas the most about Aguayo was the same thing that initially drew him to the 6-foot outside hitter as a recruit.

“It was her ball control,” Tamas said. “She’s a little bit undersized, but you’re seeing that across the country. For the most part, if you can’t pass, you can’t play. It’s really tough to play this game if you can’t keep the ball off the floor, and, obviously, you’ve got to get it to your setter’s hands.

“She’s been our best passer, hands down. When you’re the best passer, you’re going to be out there a lot. … She’s gotten to a place where teams are actually shying away from her now.”

That Aguayo has proven unshakeable on the court as Illinois (4-3) heads into its final weekend of nonconference play at Huff Hall against Iowa State (5:30 p.m., Saturday) and Eastern Illinois (1 p.m., Sunday) has also impressed her coach. Tamas called the Phoenix native “super steady.”

“We’ve always known that, and she’s reacted just the same in games,” the Illinois coach continued. “There’s really not much that’s rattled her.”

Playing at a high level in club and high school laid the groundwork for Aguayo’s steadiness on the court for Illinois. She won an Arizona Class 6A state championship with Corona del Sol in 2022, was on the state runner-up team in 2024 and also helped the Aztecs reach the state semifinals in 2021 and 2023. Additionally, Aguayo was a two-time USAV Girls Junior National Champion playing club for Arizona Storm Elite.

Playing six rotations for a Big Ten team is different that at the high school or club level, of course, but the challenge hasn’t been too great yet for Aguayo.

“I feel like I’ve always been a very calm presence on the court, and I don’t really get rattled,” she said. “I just always try to stay calm, and my teammates can always lean on me if they’re struggling. Taking deep breaths helps me, but I feel like working hard in practice and giving 100 percent there makes it a lot easier to translate into the games.”

Aguayo’s Illinois teammates noticed her presence on the court as soon as she arrived on campus in June. Fifth-year middle blocker Kayla Burbage saw a player that was going to be “awesome in our lineup” or, at minimum, a constant challenge in practice on a daily basis.

“Alyssa is the sweetest person I’ve ever met in my entire life,” Illinois senior outside hitter Averie Hernandez said. “She’s so loud with her actions on the court, but she’s super, super quiet off the court. Such a reliable player so far. Outside of her personality, that’s what we’ve all felt playing next to her. Going into the role as a freshman, it’s scary, but I think she takes everything one step at a time.”

Philpot was in a similar situation as Aguayo a year ago as the freshman thrust into a starting role. That gives the 6-4 middle blocker a unique perspective on what Aguayo has accomplished at the beginning of her own Illinois career.

“She is very consistent in her game,” Philpot said. “She doesn’t have a lot of dips, and she is very calm to be next to on the court. She also get super fiery, which I love. … She hasn’t come in with the attitude that she’s a freshman. She’s out there, just like all of us, giving it her all every practice, every game. I think she’s done a great job stepping into such a big role so soon.”