Looking across the court, it was a not-so-familiar sight for Penn State's Kim Holm and Illinois' Lauren Harks. They were wearing different uniforms and on opposite teams.

Instead of the orange and black uniforms that fans are accustomed to seeing the two women's volleyball stars wearing during their years at St. Charles East H.S. in St Charles, Ill., they are now separated by the colors of Penn State and Illinois.

For three seasons, Holm and Harks played together for the Fighting Saints, leading their team to three straight conference championships with an impressive 42-0 record. In addition, Holm and Harks have many individual accolades.

Holm was named in Volleyball Magazine as a "Fab 50" selection and is also a two-time letterwinner at St. Charles East while Harks was named to the Chicago Tribune all-state team and Chicago Sun-Times all-area team.

With their great success as teammates in high school, Holm and Harks are now trying to make their marks at the collegiate level for their respective teams. Harks, a sophomore outside hitter for the Fighting Illini, has already made an impact early in her career. Last season, Harks ranked second on the team and seventh in the Big Ten in digs with 299 while on her way to earning her first Varsity "I" award. She collected 21 of the 299 digs last season against Penn State, setting a career-high.

Holm, on the other hand, has to wait a year before making her presence known in the Big Ten, as she redshirts her freshman season.

"Our intent in redshirting her is that we know she is going to get better and stronger and she has a really good touch on the ball," Penn State women's volleyball coach Russ Rose said. "She is a great investment in the future and we like what she is doing."

Holm has similar aspirations to her future at Penn State as she redshirts this year.

"I'm hoping to get a lot better this season like stronger, quicker, learning the game more and doing whatever I can for the team," Holm said.

As Holm and Harks contribute their individual efforts to their rival programs, they always remember to leave their competitiveness on the court.

"It's still pretty fierce competition, but it's friendly," Holm said. "We talk before hand and give hugs afterwards."

Although Holm and Harks are very busy with academics and volleyball, the two still manage to talk to each other and maintain a friendship that has developed over the years.

"Last year when I came home from winter break we hung out and we hung out this past summer," Harks said.

Since the Saturday night match between the Lions and the Illini was their second meeting of the season, Holm and Harks will have to wait until winter break where they will reunite back in St. Charles.

But before they both departed from Rec Hall, they took a picture together to show their continued friendship.