CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois volleyball juniors Ali Bastianelli and Jordyn Poulter earned Preseason All-Big Ten honors as voted on by the Big Ten coaches, the conference announced on Tuesday (August 15), while the Fighting Illini were picked to finish ninth in the league standings in 2017.
It was the second-straight season Poulter earned preseason all-conference accolades and the first such award for Bastianelli.
The duo had breakout seasons as sophomores, earning American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Honorable Mention All-America honors, as well as AVCA All-Northeast Region Team and All-Big Ten accolades.
One of the premier blockers in the nation in 2016, Bastianelli finished the regular season as the NCAA and Big Ten Conference leader with 1.79 blocks per set and 201 total blocks on the year, while also pacing the league in conference matches with 1.79 stuffs per set and 129 total blocks. She also ranked 12th in the Big Ten and was second on the Illini with a .326 hitting percentage in overall action and was tied for 15th with 17 service aces in conference play. The Marysville, Mich., native started in all 31 matches for the Illini, totaling 197 kills and 30 digs and earned Billiken Invitational All-Tournament Team honors as well as FloVolleyball Player of the Week and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week accolades a season ago.
The leader of the Illini offense, Poulter averaged 10.63 assists per set to rank sixth in the Big Ten and 51st in the NCAA after totaling 1,190 assists on the season and leading the Illini to a .251 hitting percentage, which ranked 47th in the nation following the conclusion of regular season. She upped her game in league play and finished fifth with 10.89 assists per set in Big Ten matches. One of the most consistent players for the Illini, Poulter ranked second on the team with 112 blocks, was fifth with 166 digs and was efficient in the attack with 79 kills in 164 swings and only 22 errors for a .348 hitting percentage. She also garnered all-tournament accolades at the Illini Classic and the Nike Invitational and earned Big Ten Setter of the Week honors on Oct. 17.
Penn State was chosen as the conference favorite for the 2017 volleyball season as voted on by the Big Ten coaches, while NCAA semifinalist and defending Big Ten Champion Nebraska was picked to finish second. Minnesota was tabbed third, Michigan State was voted to finish fourth and Wisconsin rounded out the top five of the preseason poll in fifth place.
The Illini are set to begin the 2017 season at the Montana State Bobcat Classic in Bozeman, Montana on August 25-26, taking on Gonzaga, host Montana State and Air Force in the tournament.
2017 Preseason All-Big Ten Volleyball Team
Ali Bastianelli, Illinois, Jr., MB
Jordyn Poulter, Illinois, Jr., S
Claire Kieffer-Wright, Michigan, Sr., MB
Alyssa Garvelink, Michigan State, Sr., MB
Alexis Hart, Minnesota, So., OH
Molly Lohman, Minnesota, Sr., MB
*Samantha Seliger-Swenson, Minnesota, Jr., S
*Mikaela Foecke, Nebraska. Jr., OH
Kelly Hunter, Nebraska, Sr., S
Ali Frantti, Penn State, Sr., OH
Simone Lee, Penn State, Sr., OH
Haleigh Washington, Penn State, Sr., MB
Danielle Cuttino, Purdue, Sr., OH
Molly Haggerty, Wisconsin, So., OH
Tionna Williams, Wisconsin, Jr., MB
*Unanimous selections
2017 Big Ten Preseason Poll
1. Penn State
2. Nebraska
3. Minnesota
4. Michigan State
5. Wisconsin
6. Purdue
7. Michigan
8. Ohio State
9. ILLINOIS
10. Iowa
11. Maryland
12. Northwestern
13. Indiana
14. Rutgers
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