They've seen people put mayonnaise on French fries. They've discovered that the Dutch are courteous, although they don't say "Excuse me" when they bump into you on the street. And they've played volleyball on grass – although not the kind Amsterdam's famous for.

On the tail end of a 17-day tour of the Netherlands, the University of Illinois volleyball team has soaked up all kinds of Dutch culture.

Led by middle blocker Betsy Spicer, the University of Illinois volleyball team won 3 of 4 matches Monday to finish third in the Dutch Open outdoor tournament at St. Anthonis, Netherlands.

Cristy Chapman and Mary Coleman led the way Sunday as the Illinois volleyball team went 3-1 at the 1998 Dutch Open Outdoor Championships in St. Anthonis, Netherlands.

The Illini volleyball team lost to the Dutch National Team 12-15, 16-14, 15-11 on Tuesday in its second match in a 17-day tour of the Netherlands. Cristy Chapman led the Illini with 15 kills and five blocks.

   CHAMPAIGN  This may be Dena Schorn''s second year in college, but right now she hardly feels like a seasoned sophomore. Not on the volleyball court, anyway.

   "It''s just like being a freshman again, getting to know the team and how things run," the 6-foot-2 middle blocker said Saturday.

CHAMPAIGN – Lunch time was nearing, so Don Hardin asked members of the Sichuan Volleyball Delegation of China what kind of food they'd like.

"Fast food," came the response.

   CHAMPAIGN  Denise Baez''s ties to the University of Arkansas led to her first volleyball coaching job last year.

   The same ties have played a role in her latest move: to Illinois.

CHAMPAIGN – The University of Illinois women's volleyball team will host the defending professional champions of China in an exhibition match April 22.