July 24, 2002

Champaign, Ill. - Reaching New Heights -- That's the slogan for the 2002 Fighting Illini, under the direction of seventh-year Head Coach Don Hardin. Last year the Illini posted a record of 21-9, tied for fourth place in the Big Ten at 13-7, advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament and finished the season ranked 20th in the nation. The success of last season has raised the bar for 2002. With nine letterwinners returning, high expectations exist for the Illinois volleyball program.

"We have a talented team with nine returning letterwinners and five key players that saw extensive time in the lineup last season," Hardin said. "With the added experience level, we'll be improved at most of those positions over a year ago. We'll also have a few holes to fill, but we've got a deep roster with which to do that."

The team will be challenged from the start, as Hardin has scheduled some difficult non-conference road trips.

"We're going to play national powerhouses in Florida, Utah and BYU. They're always nationally ranked programs, teams that go deep into the NCAA Tournament," Hardin said. "They will be great precursors to the Big Ten schedule, and we'll know a lot about ourselves after playing them. We want to play top-ranked teams on the road early on. If you're going to do well in the Big Ten race or in the NCAA Tournament, you have to be prepared to face a top team in their gym."

Over the years, the Big Ten has earned a reputation as one of the premier volleyball conferences in the nation and the league is coming off of another banner year, having five Big Ten teams ranked among the nation's Top 20. Going into conference play this time around, the Illini are taking aim at the biggest of prizes: the Big Ten title.

"This is probably the first year since I've been here that I think we've got a real shot at competing for the Big Ten championship," Hardin said. "I know some people would say that hopefully you go into every year thinking you can win it. I've gone into past years knowing we could beat any given team on a given night. But in a 20-match double round-robin schedule, I thought there were one or two teams being ranked in the top five in the nation that had an upper-edge on us. But this year, I feel like we will be competing for it. We have that potential."

With such lofty goals, the team will need solid leadership. Hardin has found the player that will provide it in senior setter Betsy Eiserman.

"I think out of all our upperclassmen, Betsy is the one who has the clearest vision about what she wants to accomplish and how to manage herself to help accomplish those goals," Hardin said. "She's gained respect from everybody on the team because she manages her personal and professional responsibilities to match that vision. In that regard, Betsy's in a league by herself."

Eiserman ranked fourth in the Big Ten last season with 12.6 assists per game and ran the team well throughout the season.

"As you enter each season, the initial question always starts with experience, talent and leadership from the setter position," Hardin said. "Betsy has shown incredible maturity and leadership at setter, and she's being constantly challenged and pushed in practice by Erin Virtue. The experience has benefited both players and we have a great situation at the most important position on the court."

Lisa Argabright was the most improved player in the Big Ten last season, developing into a dominating presence at the net and leading the Illini in kills (385) and blocks (142) on the season. The reigning All-Big Ten and AVCA All-Region selection is being touted as an All-America candidate entering her junior season.

"Lisa is a very determined young lady who is just going to continue to get better," Hardin said. "She spent the summer training with the A2 National Team, gaining valuable experience at a higher level. She's made great strides in her strength and stamina and I think she'll show improvement in her game from a year ago. She wants this to be a special year."

Sue Webber took over a new position last season, moving from the left side to the right side. As the season progressed, so did Webber's game and she ended the season playing her finest volleyball, starring for the Illini during the NCAA Tournament. Webber has played in more matches, 60, than any other current player during her Illini career and is one of the team's most versatile players. She ranked among the team leaders in kills, digs and blocks and led the Illini with 48 aces behind the strength of her powerful jump serve.

Last year, the Illini received quite a contribution from its freshmen class. Lauren Harks and Kathleen Bazzetta played in every match, with Harks playing at the left side and Bazzetta contributing as a defensive specialist. Erin Virtue saw time in 14 matches at either setter or defensive specialist.

"That's a special class both physically and mentally," Hardin said. "On and off the court on a daily basis, Erin has had maybe the biggest impact of anybody on our program. Kathleen and Lauren played in more matches and really made their presence felt, especially at critical times during the season. And the fourth player from that class, Jess Belter, has really developed and was one of our best players this spring, leading the team in hitting in many of the spring tournaments."

Position-by-Position Look at the 2002 Fighting Illini

Outside Hitter
Shadia Haddad was a mainstay in the starting lineup at the left side for three seasons but has now graduated. That means there is an opening at the primary left side position and the competition will be intense. Junior Melissa Vandrey will be in contention for the spot along with sophomore Jessica Belter. In addition, a pair of newcomers in Lithuanian Rasa Virsilaite and Mother McAuley product Megan Griffin will challenge for playing time. Sophomore Lauren Harks has a year of experience under her belt at the other left side position and has continued to improve her strength at the net with her hitting and blocking. Senior Sue Webber started every match last year at the opposite (right side) position. Adding depth to the right side is junior Shelly O'Bryan as well as Belter and Griffin.

Middle Blocker
Illinois returns junior starter Lisa Argabright at middle blocker. Argabright stood among the Big Ten's best in a number of categories last season, ranking fourth with 1.4 blocks per game, seventh with a .382 attack percentage and ninth with 3.7 kills per game. With the graduation of four-year letterwinner Lydia Gard, the other middle position is open. Shelly O'Byran has experience at middle and was impressive there during the spring. Jess Belter and Meg Griffin are also candidates for playing time at middle blocker. Freshman Rachel VanMeter plans to redshirt the season and dedicate a full year to skill development.

Setter
Senior Betsy Eiserman is entering her third-consecutive season as Illinois' starting setter. Sophomore Erin Virtue is talented and skilled at the position and is also ready to run the team.

Libero/Defensive Specialist
New to the collegiate game this season is the introduction of the libero. The libero is a designated back-row player that is allowed to replace any player in the back row without counting as a substitution. There is no limit to the number of libero replacements a team is allowed. Sophomore Kathleen Bazzetta has been training for the libero position after playing in the back row last season as a defensive specialist for Lisa Argabright. Along with the libero's unlimited substitutions, teams will be allowed eight substitutions per game, which means that the Illini could also interchange a defensive specialist with one of the outside hitter positions. Candidates for that position include Erin Virtue, a strong defender who owns an aggressive jump serve, and Lauren Harks, one of the team's best passers who also ranked seventh in the Big Ten with 2.9 digs per game last season.