SAN ANTONIO--Illinois looks like--dare I say this?--a Pac-12 team.
As slow and uncertain as Florida State looked against UCLA, the Illini have the quickness and athleticism we see week in/week out in the Pac-12.
USC's All-American Alex Jupiter is off to a very slow start, committing serve and receive errors, and failing to get her attacks to hit the floor. By contrast, her teammate Lauren Williams is virtually unstoppable, hitting quicks with power and confidence. The Trojans' defense has been stellar, with Natalie Hagglund showing why she's the nation's best libero this season. (Props to outside hitter Sara Shaw for an otherworldly save in the first set at 23-22.
Illinois' defense has been equally sensational. Lots of tall, strong players on this team, and they know how to play the back row. Senior outside hitter Colleen Ward has been unstoppable since halfway through the first set; her arm is as quick as UCLA's Rachel Kidder.
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