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[ Friday, Nov. 5, 1999 ]
Road as No. 1 continues as Hoosiers, Illini visiting
By MATT WONG
Collegian Staff Writer
With a month to go in Big Ten play, the Penn State women's volleyball team will continue to try and keep its conference record spotless.
Having won their last 39 conference matches, the No. 1 Lady Lions (22-1, 12-0) will head to Indiana (14-7, 5-7) Friday, and then Illinois (12-6, 8-4) Saturday, with a chance to extend their league dominance.
The Lions are coming off of a weekend sweep against Northwestern, and Penn State outside hitter Katie Schumacher said the team is on the right track.
"We've made huge strides since earlier this season," Schumacher said. "We're playing well right now, we just need to keep at it and play strong."
Earlier this season, the Lions played strong against these same opponents, defeating both the Hoosiers (15-6, 15-9, 15-10) and the Fighting Illini (15-2, 15-5, 15-7) in three-game sweeps.
PHOTO: Jim Rajotte
Penn State’s Lauren Cacciamani goes for a hit against Ohio State earlier this season.
But co-captain Bonnie Bremner and the Lions know this time will be a much harder task the second time around.
In addition, the Lions will have to play on the same unfamiliar turf where both Indiana and Illinois have had much success so far this season.
However, due to the Lions' depth on the bench and the team's growing confidence in each other, Bremner said the Lions will be ready.
The Hoosiers' depth remains in the Big Ten standings. Ranked No. 6 in the conference, the Hoosiers are coming off a four-game loss against Wisconsin.
As for the Fighting Illini, while despite coming in tied for third in the conference, they also are coming off a disappointing weekend with two losses against the Badgers and Purdue.
"We've been very inconsistent," Hardin said. "Our nemesis has been ball control. We've been up and down the ladder. We're very fortunate to be at the upper part of the conference."
Unfortunately for both teams, they will be playing against a Penn State team at the top of the conference.
And the Lions have earned every bit of their No. 1 standing in the Big Ten. But still, Penn State women's volleyball coach Russ Rose said there are things to improve upon.
"I still think we have enough room to develop and get better," Rose said. "We have to continue to work hard and recharge our batteries for the stretch run."
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