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86 ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 25, ISSUE 3 f When Purdue did get the opportunity to spring an upset, it didn't capitalize. The Boilermakers went 0-5 against the top four teams in the conference in Penn State, Wisconsin, Nebraska and Illinois. "We didn't get that signature win that we've gotten before," Shondell said. "That's disappointing. I think it's a reflection of how good our team was this year. It just wasn't good enough to get that job done." Despite its struggles against the top teams in the con- ference, Purdue beat most of the teams below it in the Big Ten and tied for fifth in the conference standings. But the Big Ten received just six NCAA Tournament bids — it received eight last season — and Ohio State's and Michigan State's higher RPIs got them a bid over Purdue, even though they finished lower. The Big Ten performed well in the Tournament, win- ning all six of its first-round matches and sending three teams to the Elite Eight, two more than any other confer- ence. "The Big Ten proved in NCAA Tournament play that the Big Ten was as good as always," Shondell said. "Some- how, it was misled that the Big Ten was down because we lost some non-conference matches with some young teams. Once the conference got into the second half of the season, there was a lot of great teams in the Big Ten." One more win anywhere on the schedule would have likely been enough to get Purdue in the Tournament but three losses in particular stand out. A five-set heartbreaker to St. Louis in which Purdue led in every major statistical category except aces but lost 15-13 in the final set. A narrow defeat at Western Kentucky, which qualified for the NCAA Tournament and went undefeated at home. A loss to a middling Iowa squad when Purdue played without Annie Drews, its best outside hitter. "If we go in with not experiencing one of those upsets or beat another good team along the way, we would have been in," Shondell said. Purdue's recent NCAA Tournament success and a strong showing from the Big Ten this season left many players wondering what Purdue could have accomplished in the postseason. Tom Campbell Coach Dave Shondell has experienced few seasons like this. It was the first time Purdue had missed the NCAA Tournament since 2009. For daily headlines on recruiting and other Purdue sports news, check out