DES MOINES, Iowa — The Sweet 16 has been a stumbling block for the Illinois volleyball program.
Note “program.”
Mike Hebert had the most success. His Illini teams between 1983 and 1995 reached the Sweet 16 seven times, advancing past that stage of the NCAA tournament on five occasions.
Don Hardin had less. He led Illinois to the Sweet 16 twice — in 1998 and 2003 — where Long Beach State and Hawaii, respectively, delivered season-ending defeats in straight sets to the Illini.
Friday was Illinois’ sixth trip to the Sweet 16 in seven seasons under Kevin Hambly.