Illinois Ends an 11-Match Minnesota Drought as Big Ten Play Opens

Illinois opened conference play by ending a drought that had stretched nearly nine years. The Illini beat #15 Minnesota 25-22, 14-25, 25-18, 25-22 for their first victory over the Gophers since November 2017, snapping an 11-match losing streak in the series. Minnesota had won 15 of the previous 16 meetings, but Illinois took the opener, recovered after being handled in the second and closed out the final two sets to move to 9-3.

#6 Wisconsin had to climb out of an early hole. #20 Oregon took an extended opening set 26-24 before the Badgers answered 25-19, 26-24, 25-14 to win in four. The third became the hinge, with Wisconsin winning another 26-24 set before running away with the fourth.