MINNEAPOLIS, Min. — With two games left in the season, Illinois had a lot to play for. The first task at hand was to earn a win over the Minnesota Golden Gophers (receiving votes in the AVCA poll) on Friday if they wanted to be considered for one of the 32 at-large tournament bids.
The Fighting Illini were on a hot streak rolling into Minneapolis, having won nine of their last 11 games, with the two losses being to No. 1 Nebraska and (then) No. 2 Wisconsin.
Minnesota was hot, too. They had won three straight heading into the match and made sure to keep their golden times coming, making quick work of the visitors by winning 3-0 (25-20, 25-21, 25-17).