Aug. 18, 2005

Champaign, Ill. - The Fighting Illini volleyball team kicks off its 2005 season Saturday with the annual Alumni Game. First serve is slated for 7 p.m. Illinois will face the alumni for two games, then play one game of an intra-squad scrimmage. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for faculty/staff, $2 for students, U of I students are free with a valid student ID.

Here are biographical sketches of the players returning:

Patricia Albee Beam, 1955-59 - Played for the Illini from 1955-59. • Received her varsity letter as part of the Illinois 3D program held in November, 2003.

Kathleen Bazzetta, 2001-04, 5-7, DS, Naperville, Ill. (Naperville North H.S.) - Ranks seventh on Illinois' all-time digs list (974) • Played on three NCAA qualifiers, including the 2003 Sweet 16. • Three-time Academic All-Big Ten recipient • Named CoSIDA Academic All-District. • Ranked 20th in the Big Ten in digs per game in 2002 (2.63).

Carrie Cavato, 1995-98, 5-8, DS, Evergreen Park, Ill. (Mother McAuley H.S.) - tallied 150 digs in 1998 • Named Academic All-Big Ten in 1996 • Played on NCAA qualifiers in 1995 and 1998.

Denise Fracaro Juriga, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 6-0, MH, Lockport, Ill. (Lockport H.S.) - All Big Ten performer (1985) • Holds the Huff Hall record for most solo blocks in match (7 vs. Bradley, 9/3/1985) • Ranks fourth in school history in total blocks (497) • Led the Illini in digs in 1985 (315), in kills in 1984 (342) in aces in 1983 (34), and in blocks in 1984 (132) and 1985 (225) • Played on Illini's first NCAA team (1985)

Lydia Gard, 1998-2001, 6-1 MB, Champaign, Ill. (Centennial H.S.) - led Illinois in attack percentage in 2001 (382) • Led the Illini with 17 kills in first round NCAA victory over UW-Milwaukee in 1999. • Four-time Academic All-Big Ten. • Played on NCAA teams in 1998 and 2001.

Lauren Harks, 2001-04, 6-1 DS-L, St. Charles, Ill. (St. Charles H.S. - Ranks third on Illinois' all-time digs list (1,346) • Named All-Tournament at the Hurricane Frances Classic in 2004. • Three-time Academic All-Big Ten performer • Ranked 9th in the Big Ten in digs in 2003. • Played on three NCAA qualifying teams, including the 2001 Sweet 16.

Kelly See Finet, 1984, 6-0, MH, Monticello, Ill. (Monticello H.S.) - played on first team coached by Mike Hebert • As a senior tallied 271 kills, 29 aces, 173 digs • Hit a team-best .529 vs. Northwestern.

Dr. Joan McArthur, 1974 - Alternated setter between the Illini's A and AA team and participated on the first varsity team coached by Kathleen Haywood.

Sara Sorrell McDonald, 1996-99, 6-0, OH, Muncie, Ind. (Muncie Central H.S.) - Led Illinois and ranked sixth in the Big Ten in attack percentage in 1996 (.326) • Honorable Mention All-Big Ten in 1997 • Finished her career with 1044 kills, 826 digs, and 445 blocks. • Played on NCAA qualifying teams in 1998 and 1999, including the 1999 Sweet 16.

Melissa Vandrey, 2000-03, 6-0, OH, Chicago, Ill. (Queen of Peace H.S.) - Ranks seventh in attack attempts in a season (1168 in 2003) • Ranked second on the team with 306 kills in 2002. • Played on NCAA Teams in 2001 and 2003, including the 2003 Sweet 16.

Sue Webber, 1999-2002, 6-1, OH, Herscher, Ill. (Herscher H.S.) - Set a Huff Hall record with seven aces vs. Ohio State (10/19/2002) • Ranks fifth in aces in a season in school history (48). • Member of Illini's 20-20 club with 22 kills and 26 digs vs. Minnesota (10/12/2002). • Led the team in aces in 2001 (45) and 2002 (48). • Played on NCAA Teams in 1999 and 2001, including the 2001 Sweet 16.

Heather Wilson Horn, 1997-2000 - Academic All-Big Ten in 1998 and 2000 • record 503 assists in 2000. • Played on NCAA qualifying teams in 1998 and 1999, including the 1999 Sweet 16.