Aug. 16, 2000

? Volleyball coach Don?Hardin comments during media/fan appreciation day at Huff Hall.

Champaign, Ill. - The inaugural USA Today/American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) poll has been released, and the University of Illinois is ranked 29th according to the preseason rankings.

Illinois is coming off of a 17-11 season and its second straight NCAA Tournament appearance. Despite losing three starters to graduation, including the school's all-time career assists leader Melissa Beitz, the Illini still garnered recognition by the coaches association in receiving 61 points in the poll. Illinois returns eight letterwinners and three starters from last year's squad, led by senior middle blocker and All-America candidate Betsy Spicer.

Standing out in the poll is the fact that the Big Ten has six teams ranked in the nation's top 25 heading into the 2000 season. Highlighting that list is defending national champion Penn State, who is ranked 2nd. Other Big Ten schools in the poll are Minnesota (11th), Wisconsin (16th), Michigan State (20th), Michigan (24th), and Ohio State (25th).

The Illinois volleyball team will be at Huff Hall on Thursday, August 17th for media/fan appreciation day. Head Coach Don Hardin will have a press conference at 4:30 p.m., and players will be available for individual interviews. Doors are open to the public where pizza will be served and an autograph session will take place. Festivities conclude with the team taking part in an informal scrimmage.