Aug. 18, 2006

Champaign, Ill. - The 2006 Illinois volleyball season officially gets underway this weekend with the annual Alumni Event Saturday at Huff Hall. First serve is at 7 p.m. with Illinois facing the alumni for two games. Following intermission, the Illini will scrimmage each other for two games (the second game to 15). Tickets for the event are $5, $4 for faculty/staff, $2 for students 18 and under and U of I students are admitted free of charge. Parking is free on the lot south of Huff Hall.

"To have so many players that are interested in giving back and returning and having a little fun with it, I think is awesome," said head coach Don Hardin. "For us it's an exciting time. We have freshmen who are putting on the uniform for the first time, so it's a great experience for us. "We have some holes to fill that everyone is well aware of, but this year we have some depth at some critical positions, middle and setter.

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).

Sue Bochte Kleber, 1974-76, 5-9, Naperville, Ill. (Naperville Central) - Played on first Illinois varsity team coached by Terry Hite.

Denise Fracaro Juriga, 1982-85, 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)

Amber Lindner, 1998-2001, 5-6, DS, Wheaton, Ill. (Wheaton North H.S.) - Two-year starter, playing on the 2001 team that qualified for the NCAA Tournament and reached the second round • Her 49 aces in 2000 are fourth-most in school history in a single season.

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.

Sue Nucci Ward, 1991-94, 6-1, OH, Hanover Park, Ill. (Streamwood H.S.) - Tied for Illinois single-match record in aces after tallying eight vs. Minnesota on Nov. 25, 1994. • Ranks second in Illini record book for aces in a season (52 in 1994) • Four-year starter • Earned Big Ten Player of the Week honors as a freshman and a junior.

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.

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.

Rachel VanMeter, 2002-05, 6-3, OH, Lexington, Ky. (Dorman, S.C. H.S.) - Graduated as Illinois leader in attack attempts in a match (99), season (672) and career (4,462) • Named First Team All-Big Ten as a senior after ranking fifth in the nation in kills per game (5.79) • Two-time Big Ten Player of the Week.

Rasa Virsilaite, 2002-05, 6-0, OH, Kaunas, Lithuania (Saule Gymnasium) - Earned Illinois Spirit Award • Totaled career-high 23 kills on .442 attack percentage in career finale despite a torn meniscus in her knee • Ranked second in the Big Ten in service aces as a junior, while also being named to the Hurricane Frances Classic All-Tournament team that year.

Erin Virtue, 2001-04, 5-8, S, St. Charles, Ill. (St. Francis H.S.) - Named honorable mention All-America as a junior while leading the Illini to the NCAA Sweet 16 and No. 15 final national ranking • Preseason All-America as a senior • Ranks fifth in single-season assists (1,627 in 2003).

Sue Webber Jacobson, 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.