The Illinois women's volleyball team was down by about six points. One more point by their opponents and the Illini would not go to the Final Four.

The Illini came back to win that match and Illinois head coach Don Hardin talked about the fans from that night, not the play on the court.

Hardin smiled as he recalled when the fans were so loud they made the net shake. The officials were afraid the balcony in Kenney Gym would collapse.

The Illinois volleyball fans have always given the volleyball team a distinct home court advantage. The fans will be out in full force Wednesday as No. 25 Illinois (19-5, 10-4) hosts Northwestern (16-10, 7-7) at Huff Hall at 7 p.m.

"It has helped us through thick and thin," Hardin said of the Illini's fan support.

This past Friday when Illinois beat then-conference leading Minnesota, the Illini drew 2,002 people. The next night against Iowa 1,902 people watched Illinois sweep Iowa. Those two home wins extended Illinois' record to 9-0 at home.

At home matches in Huff Hall and Kenney Gym, Illinois holds a .772 winning percentage since 1985, the year that attendance was first kept. The Illini have had only one losing season at home since attendance was recorded and has averaged 1,928 fans since then. It all comes together to form one of the toughest arenas for an opposing volleyball team to enter.

"They are always in the other team's face," said Illinois middle blocker Shelly O'Bryan. "Having them so close to the court makes this such a rough environment for other teams to come in and play."

Leading the cheers in Huff Hall is the Spike Squad, the student cheering section. They originated the "Jack-Hammer" cheer that rings through Huff Hall after every kill by senior middle blocker Lisa Argabright.

Some students go all out for the games. They wear orange and blue in everything from capes to socks to volleyballs on their heads. More than 50 students traveled to Northwestern to see the Illini win a four-game match in September.

"When they're chanting when we're serving and just little things," said Illinois junior setter Erin Virtue, "it is really hard for teams to come in here and play. I think that they have a big part in that."

Hardin said there was a core group of 1,100-1,500 fans who show up for every match. Hardin learned how dedicated the Illini fans were when they showed up for each match after last year's season, which Hardin described as difficult and injury-plagued.

"I have found that when our Illinois fans and people in the community see the team fighting, working hard and raising their level, then they are going to support you," Hardin said.

The combination of students and local residents make for a unique environment. The common bond between both groups is their knowledge of the sport.

"They are louder at key moments," Hardin said. "They are more educated about the sport. They know the sport well enough to really bother an official and sometimes give us a boost. They are classy. They'll cheer for good volleyball."

Going about the Champaign-Urbana area, the players are bound to find someone willing to come talk to them about the team, their last game or just how they love the sport.

"Teachers and random people down the street will come up to me and say: 'Great game' if I am wearing an Illinois volleyball sweatshirt. The whole fan base is awesome," Virtue said.

The fans — especially the students — might only file into Huff Hall, cheer their team and then go home but they leave a lasting impression on the players.

"The student fans will never know what they mean to us," Virtue said.