Dec. 23, 2008

Lexington, Ky. -

Final 2008 Illinois Volleyball Notes in PDF Format

Illinois finished 11th in the final Bison/AVCA coaches poll. That marked the highest end of the year ranking by the Illini since finishing the 1992 season sixth.

In fact, only five Illinois teams have finished the year ranked higher -- 1986 (9th), 1987 (8th), 1988 (4th), 1989 (7th) and 1992 (6th).

National champion Penn State finished first in the final poll followed by Stanford, Nebraska, Texas and Washington.

Illinois was the second highest ranked Big Ten team. Minnesota (14), Purdue (15) and Michigan (17) give the conference five teams in the top 17.

A total of eight Illinois opponents finished the year in the top 25 -- Penn State (1), Stanford (2), California (6), Oregon (9), Minnesota (14), Purdue (15), Michigan (17) and Saint Louis (21) while foes New Mexico State, Cincinnati and Western Kentucky also received votes.

Illinois finished the season 26-8, 15-5 and third in the Big Ten. The Illini reached their 17th NCAA Tournament and their 10th Sweet 16.