This season has provided Illinois volleyball with the type of lore that can be passed down for years to come.

-Rachel VanMeter putting all her force into one shot and ending a USC win streak that lasted for more than two years.

-An injured Erin Virtue getting announced at home to a thunderous ovation.

-Watching Ohio State walk off the court looking bewildered after a three-game sweep in Huff Hall.

And while the attention in those big wins could have been pointed elsewhere, the consistency of excellent play was kept by two friends who have been on the same path since they were 16.

Senior libero Lauren Harks and senior defensive specialist Kathleen Bazzetta are the type of program-changing players that every coach searches for, wishing that in every recruiting class he could bring in two replicas.

“Our entire work ethic and expectation level changed when they came here and it hasn’t changed since,” said head coach Don Hardin.

Skill-wise, they are among Illinois’ greatest; since they came, they have demonstrated incredible attributes.

“They are incredible players but for very different reasons,” Hardin said. “When there is pressure, Lauren will pass even better, it’s an amazing ability, and Kathleen can literally destroy a left side hitter by digging her every single time. She has made some of the most spectacular digs this year.”

But what these two long-time friends have proven is that their value to both the team and each other reaches far beyond the court.

“We started playing together when we were 16,” Harks said. “I remember we were both so excited when we committed to Illinois together. From living together freshman year, we learned the game together and that is a great experience to do it all with one other person. We can talk about it to other people and they can relate, but it’s so much more to us to share club and college with the same person. I am grateful that I could spend the past seven years with someone like Kath.”

Bazzetta returns the sentiment, stating that when one of them makes a great play, they will always look to each other with a smile, remembering when they learned that skill. They have played together for so long that watching the other one’s success is fulfilling.

“Passing is a little bit more underlooked by the crowd,” Bazzetta said. “But we know and admire the kind of defense we can play. In the locker room the team knows a good passing night.”

Nobody on the team has learned to admire and know the work of Harks and Bazzetta better than setter Stephanie Obermeier. Obermeier came in halfway through the season to replace an All-American and learned to continue Illinois’ winning ways. Obermeier’s eyes light up whenever she thinks of receiving the perfect pass and sending it to one of Illinois’ various offensive weapons.

“It helped her out immediately,” Harks said. “As a setter there is so much difference between going to the hitters, to be able and have consistent passing helped out tremendously.”