MINNEAPOLIS — Jordyn Poulter tried to fight the tears that welled in her eyes. It was a hit-or-miss proposition. They were there even if most of them — through some real effort — ultimately remained unshed.
But those tears came not because of Thursday night's Final Four loss to Nebraska. That the Illinois setter was able to put into measured perspective despite the season ending two days before the Illini wanted.
No, the tears came for what that 22-26, 16-25, 25-23, 25-20, 15-11 victory by the defending national champion Cornhuskers meant.
An end of an era.