Turpin Time

Illini Volleyball Can Make History

Posted by: Jim Turpin

Thursday, December 11, 2008 4:24 PM

     Don Hardin's final volleyball team must beat Cal on Friday to give itself a chance to be a history-maker - or at least the answer to a trivia question.

     A victory over Cal would put the Illini in the regional final against Penn State - the defending national champion, the number one ranked team this year, and perhaps the greatest collegiate volleyball team ever.

     How great?   Penn State goes into the Sweet Sixteen with a perfect record.  But, more than that,  the Nittany Lions have not lost a single set(game) all year.  They have won every match 3-0.  Amazing - history-making - very hard to believe.

     Craig Tiley's Illini tennis team won the national championship with a perfect record - but all the players lost sets and matches that season.

     Rod Laver won all four Grand Slam events in one year - but he lost sets and matches that year.

     Johnny VanderMeer pitched back-to-back no-hitters a long time ago, but he lost games that season.

     Remember a .300 hitter in baseball makes outs seven of ten at-bats.

     Boston won the NBA championship last year with a remarkable record, but they lost games.

     I realize these comparisons are a real stretch, but I present them only to give you something to think about when considering Penn State's place in sports history.

     Let's say that Penn State will roll on to the national championship again - which they are favored to do.  Maybe they won't lose a set all year.

     Years from now when you are playing volleyball trivia (do people actually play volleyball trivia?)  the answer to one question could be:  Illinois, the only team to take a set off them the entire season.  Or, at least, the first team to take a set off them if they should lose one later.

     All this assumes that Penn State wins 3-0 in the round of 16 and Illinois wins its match against Cal Friday.

     I hope Laura and Company get the chance.

  

    

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