Staff writer Jeff Huth's review and preview of all things Illinois

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Don Hardin’s 16th-ranked Illinois volleyball team improved to 6-2 on the road this season with a 25-15, 22-25, 25-21, 25-22 victory against No. 18 Purdue.

STILLWATER, Okla. – The No. 14 Illinois women's cross-country team earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Championships with a second-place finish at the NCAA Midwest Regional Championships Saturday.

CHAMPAIGN – The largest volleyball crowd at Huff Hall since the 2007 home opener turned out Friday night hoping to see a repeat of history.

Staff writer Jeff Huth's review and preview of all things Illinois.

Former Illinois golfer D.A. Points will return to the PGA Tour in 2009 after finishing in the top 25 on the Nationwide Tour’s money list this season.
Points, who played on the PGA Tour in 2005 and 2006 said he hopes to be able to stick around.

“I’ve grown a lot. I have a better understanding of what is going to make me better at my craft,” Points said. “Next year when I’m on the PGA Tour, hopefully I’ll be able to excel, not only to keep my card, but also win and become a great player out there.”

MINNEAPOLIS – Junior Kylie McCulley had a season-high-tying 22 kills and a career-high 22 digs, but No. 17 Minnesota defeated No. 16 Illinois 25-20, 21-25, 25-23, 21-25, 15-10 on Saturday night in Big Ten volleyball.

With the victory, the Gophers tied the Illini for second place in the league at 10-4.

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Iowa's volleyball team has been tough at home this season, but No. 16 Illinois solved the Hawkeyes on Friday night in a Big Ten match.

Coach Don Hardin's Illini rallied for a 20-25, 25-11, 25-23, 25-22 victory, their sixth in a row and ninth in 10 matches.