The Illinois volleyball team still feels slighted, even though the Illini are one game out of first place in the Big Ten.

Even though Illinois is coming off its first home sweep of Penn State and Ohio State since 1995, in the players' minds, respect is lacking.

Illinois (13-3, 4-2) travels this weekend to Michigan (12-5, 4-2), and Michigan State (11-5, 3-3) with a chance to turn more opponents' heads with their play.

"This year every game is a statement game for us," Illinois junior setter Erin Virtue said. "We're looking to put in a fight every game we play."

Virtue also brought up that since the Illini were picked ninth in the Big Ten in the preseason, eight of the conference teams think they will beat the Illini since they were picked higher.

The Illini's focused mentality should be put to the test by what Illinois head coach Don Hardin calls the toughest test in the first half of the Big Ten schedule.

Michigan State is a perennial power in the Big Ten and the NCAA Tournament, while Michigan currently is one game out from being the conference leader, just like the Illini.

"This is the end of a real long stretch of Big Ten matches on the road," Hardin said. "Six out of eight (conference matches have been) on the road. We look at this block individually as a challenge."

So what does Hardin tell his team to finish off this "challenge" on a winning note?

"Just to push hard through the end," Hardin said. "We've done well through this point. We can finish on a strong note."

Michigan State is known for its offense. The Spartans lead the Big Ten in kills, are second in hitting percentage and their junior outside hitter Kim Schram is fourth in the conference in kills with 4.37.

Illinois junior Lauren Harks plays libero, which is a backrow defensive specialist, and sees Illinois defense having another chance to stifle a high-powered offense. The Illini lead the Big Ten in opponent hitting percentage (.159) and have shut down Northwestern's and Penn State's offensive attack thus far this season.

"I think the backcourt is going out there really well," Harks said. "(Beth) Vrdsky had an awesome practice the other day. That goes for everyone in the backrow. That can be a game we can shine because they have really, really good hitting percentage."

Michigan has a strong block, it's second in the conference with 3.06 blocks. Yet it is the Wolverines outside hitters that Hardin said worries him.

Junior Jennifer Gandolph (3.97 kills) and senior Chantel Reedus (2.44 kills) lead the Wolverine outside attack.

When looking at both opponents this weekend, Virtue has trouble seeing one that is playing better than the other.

"If I had to pick one team that was stronger in one area than the other I don't know if I could really do that," Virtue said. "Both teams are really balanced."

After this weekend six of Illinois' next eight matches are in Huff Hall. The team feels the Michigan road trip can key a run for the season that could put them atop the conference.

"It will be a true test for us," Virtue said. "If we come out with one or two wins it will give us a good position to take the lead in the conference."