Last week, the Big Ten crowned its champion for the 2018 season, and although there were technically no upsets, a number of underdog teams pushed their higher-ranked opponents to the brink. 

In case you missed it, what follows is a recap of the biggest news in Big Ten women’s volleyball and a preview of what’s to come in the final week of the regular season.

Minnesota Locks Up 2018 Title

The Gophers played Maryland and Ohio State in the second-to-last week of league play, beating the Terrapins in four and Buckeyes in five, and with an 18-0 record and just two matches left in the regular season, Minnesota officially claimed the 2018 Big Ten title. 

this was fun, alexa play we are the champions pic.twitter.com/97E6mjxrSy

— Minnesota Volleyball (@GopherVBall) November 18, 2018

Illinois currently ranks second behind Minnesota in the standings, but with a 15-3 record, the Fighting Illini have no hope of usurping the Gophers.

Along with the conference title for Minnesota, the program’s third, comes an automatic berth into the NCAA tournament. 

Most League Wins For Indiana Since 2010

In defeating Iowa in five sets on Friday, Indiana celebrated its most Big Ten wins in eight seasons. 

If the Hoosiers can win both matches this coming week (vs. Purdue on Wednesday and Northwestern on Friday), they will tie their 2010 Big Ten victory total of nine matches. 2010 was also the last time Indiana made the NCAA tournament. 

Highlights from last night.

Tonight home vs. No. 6 Nebraska
7PM at University Gym #GoIU #IUVB ⚪️? pic.twitter.com/XDIImv35NY

— Indiana Volleyball (@IndianaVB) November 17, 2018

In the five-set victory over Iowa, Indiana freshman outside hitter Breana Edwards had 23 kills hitting .512 and sophomore opposite Kamryn Malloy set a new career high with 19 kills. 

Rankings Roundup

Seven Big Ten teams appeared in this week’s AVCA Poll.

See the complete poll here.

No Upsets, But Plenty Of Close Calls

Officially, there were no upsets this week, but a few teams came very close to what would have been massive wins.

On Wednesday, Rutgers hosted Michigan State, and even after the Spartans surged out to a 2-0 lead, Rutgers was able to fight back and push the match to five sets. In the fourth, Rutgers hit .250 on its way to the 25-16 set victory, while holding MSU to a -.111 clip.  In the fifth, Rutgers tied Michigan State six times, but three attack errors late in the fifth set ultimately gave MSU the W.

Minnesota’s five-set win over Ohio State earned the Gophers the Big Ten title, but the Buckeyes, who entered the contest on a nine-match losing streak, came very close to the upset, winning the first and fourth sets to push the match to five.

Iowa fell to Indiana in five sets on Friday but the very next night, the Hawkeyes were ready to battle again, pushing No. 12 Purdue to a tiebreaking set. Despite the close scoreline, Purdue led in every major statistical category, including tallying nine blocks to Iowa’s two. 

Top Performer

Minnesota’s deadly trio of pin hitters typically receive most of the attention and praise, but middle blocker Regan Pittman put on an impressive show versus Ohio State on Saturday, leading the match with 20 kills and just one error to hit .594. 

Regan Pittman is protecting the net on this one ? pic.twitter.com/1lDXfdXK5u

— Minnesota Volleyball (@GopherVBall) November 18, 2018

What’s perhaps even more incredible is that’s just her third-most efficient offense performance of the season. With a .405 season average, the redshirt sophomore ranks second in the Big Ten and ninth in NCAA DI. 

Biggest Upcoming Matches

Minnesota @ Penn State | Friday, Nov. 23, 7 PM ET

For the second year in a row, Penn State ends the regular season facing Minnesota and Wisconsin. Last year, the Nittany Lions went 2-0 to end the conference slate, and this year, they’re even hosting.

Wisconsin @ Penn State | Saturday, Nov. 24, 7 PM ET

Perhaps even more significant than the Minnesota match, this meeting between Penn State and Wisconsin (both 13-5 in the Big Ten) could have serious implications when it comes to NCAA tournament seeding. 

Michigan State @ Michigan | Saturday, Nov. 24, 7 PM ET

There’s nothing like ending the regular season by taking on your in-state rivals for the second time in seven days. Michigan got the win in four last week, but in rivalry matches this late in the season, anything can happen.

Purdue @ Illinois | Saturday, Nov. 24, 8 PM ET

Watch on FloVolleyball

Illinois rides an 11-match win streak into Saturday’s match with Purdue. Can the Fighting Illini stay focused and maintain momentum heading into the tournament, or will Purdue prove itself worthy of a favorable postseason seed?