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
