The Minnesota volleyball team will open up the 2004 Big Ten campaign on Friday, Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. when it hosts Michigan State. Minnesota also hosts Michigan on Saturday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. Last year, the Golden Gophers went 15-5 in Big Ten play and tied for second. This year, the Golden Gophers were picked to win the Big Ten for a second straight year in the preseason coaches poll. Last year, Penn State won the Big Ten with a 17-3 record. Illinois finished tied for second with Minnesota. Michigan State is 5-3 heading into the week. Last year, the Spartans finished sixth in the Big Ten at 11-9. Michigan has a 9- 1 overall record. Last year the Wolverines finished fifth in the Big Ten with a 12-8 conference record. Minnesota started the 2002 Big Ten season against Michigan State and Michigan and went 2-0 on its way to winning its first Big Ten title in school history.

Mike Hebert is 4-4 in Big Ten openers at Minnesota. Hebert was 0-3 in his first three seasons, but has gone 4-1 since. He had won four straight conference openers, before falling at Indiana to start Big Ten play last year. Hebert is 5-3 in home Big Ten home openers, and has won five in a row after losing his first three years. Last year, the Golden Gophers started their Big Ten home campaign with a three-game victory against Northwestern.

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