Nov. 30, 1999

Illinois (16-10/12-8)
At NCAA Tournament (East Regional)
Gainesville, Fla.

Illini Back in the Tournament
Illinois has earned an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament, its second bid in as many years and 13th overall. This is Illinois' first appearance in the East Regional, as all of Illinois' previous bids have been to either the Mideast or Mountain Regional. This is only the fifth tournament appearance in which Illinois has not hosted matches in Champaign. Illinois is 4-10 on the road or in neutral site matches in the NCAA tournament. This season Illinois is in the East Region and was sent to Florida. The host Gators hold the No. 2 seed in the East region. Florida will play Liberty in a first round match immediately following the Illinois-Wisconsin Milwaukee match.

Wisconsin-Milwaukee
The First Round Opponent: In Thursday's first round Illinois will take on Wisconsin-Milwaukee, the regular season Midwestern Collegiate Conference champions. The Panthers, who are also making their second-straight appearance in the NCAA tournament, posted a 25-3 overall record (a school record), including wins over Big Ten opponents Wisconsin and Purdue. The Panthers are coached by former UI graduate assistant Kathy Litzau, who is in her seventh year at the helm of the program. During her tenure the Panthers have made their first-ever appearance in the NCAA tournament (1998) and have posted three-consecutive 20-win seasons (1997, '98 and '99). UW-Milwaukee is led by MCC Player of the Year, senior middle blocker Sue Raschka. Raschka averages 3.35 kills per game and is hitting .305 on the year. Senior Katie Schneider handles the setting duties and has dished out 1,412 assists this year, an average of 14.12 per game. These two teams have met once before, in 1992. Illinois won that meeting three games to none and holds a 1-0 overall lead in the series.

A Look at Florida
The Gators, the second seed in the East Region, are ranked fourth in the nation by the AVCA and third in the country by Volleyball magazine. Florida owns a 30-2 overall record that includes a season-opening win over Penn State, the Nittany Lions' only loss of the season. Florida ran the table in the SEC, posting a perfect 14-0 mark. The Gators are 11-1 when playing at home this season, the only loss coming to Nebraska. Jenny Manz, a 6-0 rightside hitter, is Florida's big gun, averaging 3.78 kills per game. The senior is also hitting a team-high .311 on the season. Jen Sanchez, a 5-11 senior, handles setting duties for the Gators and had dished out 1,382 assists this season, an average of 13.04 assists per game. Florida holds a 3-1 advantage in the series against Illinois. The two schools last met in 1996 - Florida won that meeting 3-0.

A Look at Liberty
Liberty, the champions of the Big South Conference, posted a 22-9 record overall and 12-2 mark in conference play. The Lady Flames earned the Big South's automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament with a 3-2 upset win over Radford in the championship match of the Big South tournament. Liberty senior middle blocker Anthonia Akpama earned Big South Tournament MVP honors after notching 33 kills and only seven errors in 72 swings in the championship match. On the season, she averages a team-high 5.87 kills per game.

Simply the Best
The Big Ten Conference continued to assert its dominance in volleyball when the NCAA tournament bids were announced Nov. 28. Led by four-time conference champion Penn State, the Big Ten had a record eight teams qualify for the tournament. Along with Penn State, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan State, Indiana, Ohio State and Michigan all saw their seasons continue as the pairings were announced.

BIG TEN STANDINGS
(Final)

Familiar Faces
All eight Big Ten teams were placed in the Central or East Regions. Only Penn State was selected to host first and second round matches.

How the Illini Stack Up
Not only is the Big Ten the dominant conference in the country, but Illinois is one of the most dominant teams in the Big Ten. The Fighting Illini have appeared in 12 NCAA tournaments, the second-most in the conference (Penn State has been to all 18 NCAA tournaments). Illinois ranks third in the conference in tournament winning percentage with a .586 clip (17 wins, 12 losses). Penn State ranks first with a .600 winning percentage, followed by Wisconsin at .588.

A Flash Back to '98
Illinois is making its second-straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Last season Illinois, which entered the tournament ranked 21st nationally, hosted first and second round matches at Huff Hall. The Illini advanced out of the first weekend with wins over Southwest Texas State and Colorado. Illinois was then sent to Long Beach State where the team's run into the Sweet Sixteen was halted, three games to none, by the eventual national champion Long Beach State 49ers.

Nationally Ranked
Illinois spent seven weeks ranked in the national top 25, with its highest ranking coming in the preseason poll (14th). The highest inseason rank Illinois enjoyed was 20th, which came on Oct. 18 following a weekend road sweep of Iowa and Minnesota.

AVCA/USA Today Top 25 (Nov. 29)

Spicer Named All-Big Ten
Junior middle blocker Betsy Spicer was named first-team All-Big Ten, the conference office announced Monday. Spicer led Illinois and ranked third in the Big Ten with a .341 attack percentage. She also ranked sixth in the conference with an average of 1.35 blocks per game. This season Spicer has enjoyed two of the top seven all-time hitting performances in Illinois history (.857 vs. George Mason and .818 vs. Purdue) and she was named the State Farm Illini Classic MVP. The Barrington, Ill., native has seven double doubles this year and one 20+ kill night (22 at Michigan State).

Beitz Sets Career Mark in Bloomington
Senior setter Melissa Beitz became Illinois' all-time assists leader after collecting a season-high 66 assists at Indiana. Beitz entered the match needing 45 to break Disa Johnson's mark of 5,550 assists in a career. Beitz, this year's team captain and a four-year starter, now has 5,845 assists over her career. That ranks her third all-time in Big Ten history. The Big Ten record is 6,024 assists and is held by Sharon Oesterling of Minnesota.

Marshall Breaks Career Digs Record
It took until the final match of the regular season, but Tracey Marshall became the second Illini senior to rewrite the Illini record books this season when she broke the career digs record against Iowa on Nov. 27. Marshall now has 1,398 career digs, five better than Mary Coleman's previous mark of 1,393.

Webber Sees Increased Playing Time
True freshman Sue Webber has shown she has the talent to play right away every time she's had the opportunity this year. She did so once again at Indiana, getting starts in both games four and five against the Hoosiers and responding with a 10-kill night. Webber then ignited a spark into the Illini offense on the Michigan/Michigan State trip. Against Michigan, she became only the second Illini to notch 20+ kills in a night this season when she posted 22 kills. The Michigan match also was Webber's first career double double, as she added 15 digs to her 22 kills. Webber followed that performance up with 18 kills and 11 digs at Michgian State on Saturday.

Spicer in the Big Ten Rankings
For the season, MB Betsy Spicer ranks third in the Big Ten conference with a .350 overall hitting percentage and she's sixth in blocking with 1.29 blocks per game. In conference games only, Spicer ranks sixth in attack percentage (.335) and sixth in blocking (1.35 blocks per game).

Haddad's Streak Broken
Sophomore Shadia Haddad had her streak of 18-consecutive matches with at least 10 kills broken in Illinois' three game loss to Ohio State Nov. 5. It was the first time this season she has failed to reach double digits.

Spread Out Offense
Setter Melissa Beitz is doing a great job of spreading out the Illini attack. Five Illini average more than two kills per game and only three Illinois players, Shadia Haddad, Betsy Spicer and Sue Webber, have notched 20 or more kills in one night.

On the Tube
Illinois is 3-4 on TV so far this season. Illinois' matches at Michigan State, Wisconsin, Penn State and Ohio State were all telecast locally while its two matches against Minnesota were broadcast by Fox Sports Net and the Ohio State match at Huff was aired by espn2.

Up Against the Best
Illinois is 3-4 against ranked opponents in 1999, having dropped its first match of the season to No. 11 Cal-Santa Barbara, 3-0 and lost 3-0 to No. 2 Penn State before beating No. 25 Ohio State, 3-2, in Columbus, No. 18 Wisconsin, 3-0, at home in Huff Hall and No. 22 Minnesota, 3-1, in Minneapolis. Illinois snapped its winning streak against ranked opponents in a four game loss to No. 1 Penn State at home Nov. 6 and then dropped a match to No. 20 Minnesota, 0-3, on Nov. 26 at Huff.

Spicer, Haddad Favorite Options
Junior Betsy Spicer and sophomore Shadia Haddad have been setter Melissa Beitz's favorite and most successful options this season. Haddad is averaging a team-high 3.71 kills per game while Spicer is averaging 3.18 kills per game while hitting a team-high .341.

Argabright to Redshirt
The volleyball team has decided that freshman Lisa Argabright will redshirt the 1999 season. The 6'6" Louisville, Ky., native will not compete for Illinois until the 2000 season.

The Huff Advantage
Illinois is 9-4 this year in Huff Hall and 6-4 in Huff against Big Ten competition. Overall, Illinois has a 181-42 (.814) record at Huff since the team began playing there in 1985.

Two Illini Earn Preseason All-Big Ten Honors
Seniors Melissa Beitz and Tracey Marshall were both named to the 1999 Preseason All-Big Ten team. Beitz is the returning assists leader in the Big Ten. She was named AVCA All-District a year ago after finishing second in the nation in assists. Marshall was a 1998 All-Big Ten pick.

Illinois Picked Third in the Big Ten
In a preseason coaches poll, Illinois was picked to finish third in the Big Ten (behind Penn State and Wisconsin). A year ago, Illinois was picked to finish fourth and stayed true to form. The Big Ten volleyball coaches predicted the following order of finish: 1. Penn State, 2. Wisconsin, 3. Illinois, 4(T). Michigan State and Ohio State, 6. Minnesota, 7. Indiana, 8. Iowa, 9. Purdue, 10. Michigan, 11. Northwestern.

Illinois Ranked 14th Preseason
Ending the 1998 season ranked 14th in the nation, Illinoisearned that same ranking to start 1999 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association/USA Today preseason poll, released on August 12. Illinois is one of four Big Ten schools ranked in the poll: the coaches voted Penn State No. 1, Wisconsin No. 9, Illinois No. 14 and Michigan State No. 22.

Illini Return Four Starters
Despite losing five seniors to graduation, Illinois is returning four starters who have all earned Big Ten recognition at one point in their careers. Seniors Melissa Beitz (S), Tracey Marshall (OH) and Sara Sorrell (OH) all return along with junior Betsy Spicer (MB), one of the most effective blockers in the conference.

Another Tough Schedule
Illinois, which played the toughest schedule in the nation in 1998, faces another grueling schedule in 1999. In addition to stiff Big Ten competition that includes national runner-up Penn State, the Illini have matches scheduled against 1998 NCAA tournament participants UCSB, UNC, Utah, Louisville and Illinois State.

Hardin Enters Fourth Year
Head Coach Don Hardin is entering his fourth year at the helm of the Fighting Illini volleyball team. Hardin, a graduate of Illinois and former assistant coach, has posted a 67-49 record in Champaign. In 1998 he took the team back to the NCAA tournament and Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 1995.

Illinois Volleyball Records to Watch

CAREER

Career Kills

Career Attack Attempts

Career Attack Percentage

Career Digs

Career Assists

SINGLE SEASON

total blocks

assists

single match attack percentage

Illinois NCAA Tournament History

NCAA History
Illinois has participated in 12 NCAA tournaments since 1985 and has compiled a record of 17-12 (.586) in the championship. This is the second-straight appearance in the NCAA tournament for Illinois, which advanced to last year's Sweet Sixteen before losing to eventual national champion Long Beach State. Illinois has hosted first-second round matches in eight of its 12 NCAA tournaments. Illinois is 13-2 in NCAA home matches (losing to Stanford, 1-3, in the regional final in 1992 and to Ball State, 2-3, in the first round in 1992). UI is 4-10 in road and neutral site NCAA matches.

Illinois has advaned through the regional twice, making appearances in the NCAA Final Four in 1987 and 1988 before losing to Hawaii in the national semifinals each time.

Hardin in the NCAA
University of Illinois head coach Don Hardin is making his eighth appearance in the NCAA tournament as a head coach. He made six NCAA appearances (1990-95) in his eight years as the head coach at the University of Louisville and one other, last season, at Illinois. Hardin is 3-7 in NCAA tournament matches, having posted a 1-6 record in matches at Louisville and a 2-1 record in last year's Sweet Sixteen run. As a player, Hardin was a member of two NCAA Final Four teams at Ohio State in 1981 and 1982.

Hardin's NCAA wins

Illini in the NCAA
Five Illini on this year's roster saw their first NCAA tournament action in last year's run to the Sweet Sixteen. All three seniors on this year's squad, Melissa Beitz, Tracey Marshall and Sara Sorrell, along with junior Betsy Spicer and sophomore Amber Lindner saw playing time. Their stats follow.

Illinois All-Time In The NCAA Tournament

Illini Season And Career Double-Doubles

Melissa Beitz
(29 career double-doubles)

In 1996
6 Double-Doubles

In 1997
3 Double-Doubles

In 1998
12 Double-Doubles

In 1999
8 Double-Doubles

Shadia Haddad
(6 career double-doubles)

In 1999
6 Double-Doubles

Tracey Marshall
(49 career double-doubles)

In 1996
16 Double-Doubles

In 1997
15 Double-Doubles

In 1998
21 Double-Doubles

In 1999
7 Double-Doubles

Sara Sorrell
(23 career double-doubles)

In 1997
6 Double-Doubles

In 1998
11 Double-Doubles

In 1999
6 Double-Doubles

Betsy Spicer
(10 career double-doubles)

In 1998
3 Double-Doubles

In 1999
7 Double-Doubles

Sue Webber
(2 career double-doubles)

In 1999
2 Double-Doubles

Illini Career 20+ Kill Nights

Shadia Haddad
(1 career 20+ kill nights)

In 1999
1 20+ kill nights
10/3/99 - at Ohio State - 26K

Tracey Marshall
(19 career 20+ kill nights)

In 1996
5 20+ kill nights

In 1997
6 20+ kill nights

In 1998
8 20+ kill nights

Sara Sorrell
(2 career 20+ kill nights)

In 1996
1 20+ kill nights

In 1997
1 20+ kill nights

Betsy Spicer
(2 career 20+ kill nights)

In 1998
1 20+ kill nights

In 1999
1 20+ kill nights
11/20/99 - at Michigan St. - 22K

Sue Webber
(1 career 20+ kill nights)

In 1999
1 20+ kill nights
11/19/99 - at Michigan 22K