Oct. 29, 2001

Champaign, Ill. - The hottest team in the Big Ten conference earned national recognition today, as the University of Illinois (15-5 overall, 8-4 Big Ten) is ranked 25th in this week's American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA)/USA Today Coaches Poll. Owning the Big Ten's longest active winning streak at seven consecutive matches, the Illini crack the Top 25 for the first time this season and the first time since the week of Oct. 25-31, 1999 when UI was ranked No. 23.

The Illini are enjoying a complete turnaround from an injury-plagued and difficult season last year, when the team posted a record of 13-18. The Illini are currently in fourth place in the Big Ten with an 8-4 record and have already doubled their number of total conference victories from all of last season. Illinois has won its last six Big Ten matches, its longest winning streak in conference play since claiming seven in a row during the 1995 season. Of those six straight Big Ten victories, five have been sweeps, (Michigan State, Indiana, Purdue, Minnesota and Iowa) while the victory over Michigan came in four games.

"I think it's outstanding, the way that our players have maintained focus and learned from tough times," Head Coach Don Hardin said. "It has come as a result of two main ingredients, first, a renewed and determined commitment from our returning players and second, outstanding contributions from young players who believe in our future and have managed to play like seasoned veterans. It is extremely challenging to work your way up the ladder in the Big Ten. There are so many great players and coaches in this conference, that it has the potential to keep you from recovering when you are down. Our players and staff have not allowed that to happen."

"But we are by no means content with where we are at right now, as we still have the Wisconsin-Ohio State-Penn State gauntlet ahead of us, in addition to a trip to Michigan and Michigan State," Hardin added. "There are four very important weeks of volleyball left to play prior to NCAA Tournament selection."

The 25th-ranked Illini are on the road this weekend, as they face #7 Wisconsin on Friday, Nov. 2 and Northwestern on Saturday, Nov. 3. Both matches are set for 7 p.m.