The nation's best start had to come to an end last Friday. No. 8 Minnesota (16-1, 5-1 Big Ten) finally hiccuped, as No. 7 Wisconsin (15-2, 5-1) ended their 15-game winning streak with a sweep. The loss makes it a two-way tie for second in the Big Ten between the two teams.

The first place team, No. 11 Ohio State (16-0, 6-0), is now the front runner in the conference, as it remains undefeated. The Buckeyes topped Purdue (9-9, 1-5) Friday night and Illinois (10-7, 1-5) Saturday to continue their winning ways.

Perhaps one of the biggest games of the Big Ten season will take place next weekend, when Ohio State travels to the Sports Pavilion to take on the Gophers.

Losing more than games

Illinois has been dropping back in the pack in the Big Ten. But now their journey to climb into the conference picture will be much more difficult. Starting outside hitter Sue Webber underwent surgery Friday to repair a torn ACL in her left knee. The surgery marked the end of Webber's season.

She first injured her knee Sept. 23 against Minnesota. She had played in every match until that point. The sophomore was second on the team in both kills (4.08 per game) and digs (2.16 per game) before she went down.

First time for everything

The news that Webber was injured came the day before the Illini were to face off against Purdue. Apparently, the injury inspired Illinois, as it claimed its first conference victory of the season. The Illini were the last Big Ten team to erase the goose egg in the conference win column.

The breakthrough was led by senior Betsy Spicer, who tallied a career-high 27 kills. Freshman Melissa Vandrey provided solid support, adding career-highs with 26 kills and 16 digs in just her fourth collegiate match. Shadia Haddad also had an impressive night, posting the same double-double as Vandrey.

Player of the Week

Wisconsin junior Sherisa Livingston led her Badgers team to a sweep against previously unbeaten Minnesota Friday. The middle hitter's performance was good enough to earn her conference Player of the Week honors. Her 26 kills, with a .388 hitting percentage, led her team in the win. She also tallied nine digs and five blocks.

Against Iowa Saturday, she recorded 12 kills, six digs and five more blocks in a Wisconsin victory. If all goes well, the offensive standout will most likely surpass 1,000 career kills next week. She is currently just 20 short of that mark.