Illinois Volleyball Ranked 14th in AVCA Preseason Poll
August 12, 1999 | Volleyball
Aug. 12, 1999
The University of Illinois volleyball team has been ranked 14th in the nation in a preseason poll released today by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. The Fighting Illini earn the preseason recognition after advancing to the 1998 NCAA Sweet Sixteen and earning a national ranking of 14th in the same poll.
Head Coach Don Hardin returns four of six starters from the 1998 squad, including preseason All-Big Ten selections Melissa Beitz and Tracey Marshall. Illinois is one of five Big Ten teams ranked in the preseason top 25. Penn State enters the season ranked number one nationally and is followed by Wisconsin (ninth), Illinois (14th), Ohio State (17th) and Michigan State (22nd).
Illinois had its first official day of practice today at Huff Hall. Media Day is scheduled for August 18 beginning with a press conference with head coach Don Hardin at 5:30 p.m. One-on-one interviews with Hardin, his coaches and student-athletes will begin immediately after the press conference. Media Day will be held in conjunction with a public 'Meet the Team' night that is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. Fans are invited to come to Huff, meet the team and collect autographs and then stick around and watch the team scrimmage at 7 p.m. There will also be a pizza party at Huff beginning at 6 p.m. for all volleyball season ticket holders and members of the Networkers, volleyball's booster club. There is no charge for admission and fans will be able to purchase Fighting Illini volleyball single-game and season tickets at the event.
Volleyball fans can also purschase tickets by stopping by the Illinois ticket booth at MarketPlace Mall, visiting Room 100 Assembly Hall or by calling (217) 333-3470.
1999 AVCA Preseason Volleyball Poll
1. Penn State 13. Texas
2. Stanford 14. Illinois
3. Nebraska 15. Arizona
4. Hawaii 16. Texas A&M
5. Long Beach State 17. Ohio State
6. Pacific 18. Univ. of San Diego
7. BYU 19. Colorado
8. Florida 20. Arkansas
9. Wisconsin 21. USBC
10. UCLA 22. Michigan State
11. UC Santa Barbara 23. Kansas State
12. Pepperdine 24. Colorado State
25. Loyola Marymount
