Week one in the Big Ten did not disappoint. 

Fourth-ranked Penn State lost twice, Indiana pushed the last undefeated team in the conference to five sets, and Iowa swept Michigan State. 

Here’s what you need to know about what went down and what’s coming up this week.

Last Team Standing

Three teams entered the conference season undefeated, but with Purdue losing to Illinois and Michigan falling in four to Nebraska, only Illinois sashays into week two with an unblemished record.

Hoosier Who? Illinois’ retention of said unbeaten record did not come easily, however. Unranked Indiana, which was picked 12th out of 14 teams in the conference in the preseason coaches poll, went up 2-0 in the two teams’ Sunday meeting but let the match slip away in five.

What's that saying? It's not how you start, it's how you finish.

Two @B1GVolleyball road matches this weekend. Two #Illini wins. ? pic.twitter.com/ZoA4z0CO93

— Illini Volleyball (@IlliniVBall) September 23, 2018

“That's a really good volleyball team that through two games didn't play that well and then they started to play more like themselves,” Indiana first-year head coach Steve Aird said. “Obviously disappointed we didn't win because I am a competitive guy and the team is full off competitive people, but plenty here to suggest that we are getting better and have room to keep getting better.”

Rankings Roundup

Seven Big Ten teams appeared in this week’s AVCA Poll, and two more received votes. 

See the complete poll here.

Biggest Upsets

Last week’s No. 4 Penn State (now No. 9) has the misfortune of appearing at the losing end of both of this week’s biggest upsets. 

First, Minnesota hosted the Nittany Lions and dismantled them in straight sets in front of a sellout crowd of more than 5,000 people. The Gophers led in every statistical category, out-hitting Penn State .262 to .168, winning the blocking battle nine to five, serving two aces to Penn State’s one, and scooping up 71 digs, while the Nittany Lions only managed 58.

An EPIC rally to cap off an EPIC upset❗️ #NCAAVB
(via @OhioStateWVB) pic.twitter.com/0hTuFimFTi

— NCAA Volleyball (@NCAAVolleyball) September 23, 2018

Two nights later in Columbus, Ohio State—which had previously lost three straight to Tennessee, Dayton, and Wisconsin—took down Penn State in four. The Nittany Lions had four hitters contributing double-digit kills and even out-hit Ohio State .180 to .135, but the Buckeyes had eight aces to Penn State’s zero. Ohio State also led the blocking battle 13 to 11. 

Top Performer

Speaking of OSU’s four-set win over Penn State, our top performer of the week, Ohio State’s 6-3 freshman outside hitter Mia Grunze, recorded her first double-double in that match, with a team-high 12 kills and 13 digs.

Biggest Upcoming Matches

Wisconsin @ Minnesota | Wednesday, September 26, 8 PM CT

These two teams have always been rivals and have had some great battles in the last few years. Minnesota won both of last year’s meetings and leads the all-time series 50-30, but Wisconsin enters Wednesday’s matchup as the higher-ranked team.

Penn State @ Michigan State | Friday, September 28, 6 PM CT

Neither Michigan State nor Penn State had the performance they were hoping for over the opening week of conference play, with both teams losing two matches on the road. The Spartans will host the Nittany Lions in this Friday night showdown.

Wisconsin @ Purdue | Saturday, September 29, 6 PM CT

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The Badgers’ tough week continues as they face No. 16-ranked Purdue on Friday. The Boilermakers had a great preseason showing and lost for the first time this season to Illinois in their Big Ten opener. 

Nebraska @ Illinois | Saturday, September 29, 7 PM CT

No. 3 Nebraska opened conference play with a pair of four-set victories over Michigan and Michigan State and Saturday faces undefeated No. 7 Illinois. Does Illinois pull off the upset and stay undefeated? Or will Nebraska end the Fighting Illini’s impressive win streak?