ONE TO WATCH

   Volleyball vs. Penn State, 7 p.m. Saturday

CHAMPAIGN – With a 3-7 record at the midway point of the Big Ten Conference race, the University of Illinois volleyball team appears ripe for a jolt.

On Friday, coach Don Hardin intends to flip the switch.

Changes will be made.

That's Illinois volleyball coach Don Hardin's promise after the Illini lost their third straight match, falling to Big Ten foe Iowa for the first time since 1994 3-0 Saturday in Iowa City, Iowa.

Just call Illinois volleyball coach Don Hardin the eternal optimist.

Despite begin badly beaten in the second game against Minnesota and losing a 10-0 lead in the third game, Hardin managed to find a silver lining after Friday's 3-0 loss to the Gophers.

CHAMPAIGN – Don Hardin wasn't at a loss for words. Just at a loss for explanations.

CHAMPAIGN – Get used to seeing more of freshman Betsy Spicer.

Maybe even in the starting lineup tonight when Ohio State visits Huff Hall.

CHAMPAIGN – There are intense athletes. Then there's Tracey Marshall.

"She's so aggressive, everyone was kind of taken aback at first," sophomore Sara Sorrell said of her University of Illinois volleyball teammate and classmate.

   The University of Illinois volleyball team has dropped out of the USA Today/AVCA Top 25 after going 1-1 last week.

   The Illini, 11-5, had been ranked 25th. In the current poll, released today, Illinois is fourth among unranked teams receiving votes.