Jan. 31, 2006

Champaign, Ill. -- - Rachel VanMeter is ten matches into her professional career. Playing for Carolina in the FPV (Puerto Rice Volleyball League), VanMeter is a key contributor for the club. Carolina is 7-3 and has won its last four matches.

VanMeter is playing right side, after playing left side most of her collegiate career. Although that has been a bit of an adjustment, she says she has trained off and on at the position over the past four seasons. VanMeter had five kills and five digs in her professional debut on Jan. 6 in a 25-23, 25-20, 25-23 victory over Bayamon. Her top individual performance came on Jan. 12 when she tallied 13 kills and 13 digs vs. Mayaguez.

"My job here is to put the ball away when I get it and to stop some big left sides on the block," VanMeter said. "In these last four matches, I have really started to come around. I am finally getting some chemistry with our setter, Glorimar Ortega, and we are starting to click."

Illini Classic kicks off 2006 season
While Illinois is still finalizing its 2006 schedule, one major change is being made to the schedule. The State Farm Illini Classic, which has traditionally been played in mid-September, has been moved to the last weekend in August and will serve as the season opener for Illinois.

Starting last season, the NCAA allowed teams to open a week earlier and the Illini did that at Illinois State. The Alumni game will be Saturday, Aug. 19 with the Illini Classic slated for Friday and Saturday, Aug. 25-26. The tournament, which will feature UW-Milwaukee, Illinois State, and Winthrop, will also include a complete round robin for the first time, meaning three games for each team instead of two under the current traditional "classic" format. UW-Milwaukee has made five NCAA appearances since 1998 and has won three straight Horizon League titles. Winthrop has been in the NCAA Tournament each of the past four seasons, while Illinois State has also been strong, taking the Illini to five games last season in Normal, before Illinois won 3-2.

Camp Dates
The growingly popular University of Illinois Volleyball Camp, which set record numbers in 2005, has released this year's dates. Three individual camps will be held July 13-16, July 18-21 & July 23-26. For information, call 217/244-7278.

Individual workouts begin
Illinois is in the midst of individual workouts by position in advance of its spring season. With the addition of transfers Stephanie Alde and Kristine Anderson, Illinois has ten players on its spring roster. The Illini have not released its spring schedule as of yet, but it could include a scrimmage against a Chinese team.