The No. 2 Nebraska volleyball team continued its dominance by sweeping Illinois in three sets, marking their fourth consecutive sweep of the season and improving their record to 19-1. Merritt Beason led the Huskers with 13 kills and four aces, while Andi Jackson contributed 11 kills. Illinois, now 13-6 overall, has struggled against top-tier teams but aims to build on recent successes after five straight Big Ten wins. The Illini coach emphasized the importance of competing in a limited schedule, with only one opportunity against most Big Ten rivals this season. Meanwhile, Illinois football is gearing up for a challenging matchup against No. 1 Oregon, with coach Bret Bielema acknowledging the significance of the top ranking as motivation. The Fighting Illini are looking to replicate their past success against top-ranked teams and aim for a strong performance this season.