July 12, 2007

Champaign, Ill. - Former Champaign Central star Melissa David has joined the Illinois volleyball staff as a volunteer assistant. David, who was a co-captain at UW-Milwaukee last season, will serve as a volunteer coach while pursuing a master's degree in sport management.

David was an All-Horizon League performer for a UW-Milwaukee team that finished 24-6, won the conference and qualified for the NCAA Tournament. David and the Panthers played in the 2006 State Farm Illini Classic in Huff Hall. The Illini won the match 3-0, but David led the way with 11 kills and a .391 attack percentage against the Illini and was named to the All-Tournament team. She was also an all-tournament selection at the University of Alabama Classic.

David ranked second on the team in kills (311) while hitting .255 in 2006 and finished her career with 653 kills, 292 digs and 114 blocks. She was named to the all-conference tournament team after posting 13 kills in the Horizon League Tournament title game victory over UIC. David was named Horizon League Player of the Week on Sept. 25. She was named to the conference's all-newcomer team as a freshman and was a regular in the line-up from that point on. David's 97 matches played are third all-time in UW-Milwaukee history.

David, a native of Savoy, Ill., was named All-Area Player of the Year by the News-Gazette and was a second team All-State selection as a senior at Champaign Central. She was a three-time All-Big 12 selection, including a unanimous choice in 2003.

David graduated from UW-Milwaukee with a degree in marketing and has been assistant coach for the Milwaukee Sting Volleyball Club.

"Melissa's talent is well known in the volleyball community, but the fact that she is well respected in the Champaign community makes it even more exciting to have her on staff," said Illinois Head Coach Don Hardin.