This was supposed to be the year.
Coming off back-to-back Elite Eight appearances and losing just one player, a little-used grad transfer, it seemed that the Huskies best chance at a national title for a few years was in 2017.
High hopes and a #3 preseason ranking coming into the year had been interrupted this year by injuries and fifth-set struggles multiple times, but the team had bounced back well each time.
But one big push starting midway through set 4 by Illinois ended it, as the Huskies finished their season 3-5 in 5-set matches, the most they've played in a single season in a long time.