DES MOINES -- A team needs to take three sets to win a volleyball match. But it was a run at the end of the first set that established the tone Friday night as the University of Minnesota swept Illinois to advance to the Elite Eight.
The Illini were leading 22-18 when Gophers senior outside hitter Daly Santana went to the service line. Seven straight points later, the Gophers (29-4) had won the first set of a 25-22, 25-23, 25-17 match it felt like they were in control of most of the rest of the way.
"At that point, we were like, 'Screw it.