After their first loss of the season last week, the Illini went .500 this week, defeating Northwestern after losing to No. 5 Wisconsin on Wednesday. Illinois continues to impress, playing well in all their games and having only lost to two top-five programs.
The Illini hit the road next week, where they will face two top-10 opponents in Minnesota and Wisconsin, who they will play for the second time in two weeks.
October 3: #5 Wisconsin 3, #7 Illinois 1
Though the Illini jumped out to an early one-set lead over the Badgers, Illinois fell off in subsequent sets, losing the match 25-21, 21-25, 23-25, 18-25.