Nebraska's textbook play dismantles Illinois' block

No. 4 Nebraska upset No. 1 Illinois with a disciplined game plan — a balanced attack that never allowed the Illini's vaunted blockers an opportunity to establish themselves.

Illinois had won 20 straight matches by depending on an imposing front line. Lead blocker Anna Dorn is 6-foot-3. She was held to 3 block assists.  Erin Johnson is also a 6-3 middle. She had 1 block assist. Liz McMahon is a 6-6 freshman. She had two block assists and blocking error.

Illinois vs. Nebraska: Playing for prestige

No. 1 Illinois and No. 4 Nebraska clearly have respect for one another. But will Saturday's Big Ten showdown at the NU Coliseum in Lincoln put to rest questions about their standing?

In many quarters, this volleyball season has been unsettling — and unsettled. Traditional powers are no longer as dominant, and in the Pac 12, the competitive mad scramble has left no one unscathed. Now, with the season's first RPI listing Illinois first and Nebraska second, the eminence of the Big Ten is being recognized, though perhaps, reluctantly.

Best in class: The Seniors

What players are making the biggest impact for their teams? It's a debatable question, with no definitive answer.

On a top-ranked team with several quality players, the burden is shared, and no individual necessarily rolls up big statistics. Does that mean those players make any less impact than someone on another team where one person is carrying the load?