Aug. 16, 2012
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- With the start of the season right around the corner, fans will get the opportunity to see the recently ranked No. 7 Illinois volleyball team this Saturday as the Illini host an exhibition match at 7 p.m. in Huff Hall. Also, this weekend's match serves as a chance for 11 alumni to come back to Champaign and be recognized prior to the games start. Tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for children. Illinois students get in free with all tickets being general admission. The doors open at 6 p.m.
"For us the alumni match is two things; first reconnect with old players and give our current players a chance to meet them," head coach Kevin Hambly said. "It is also a dress rehearsal for home matches. Not just for the players who get to put on their uniforms for the first time but also for everyone on staff."
Eleven alumni are expected to return on Saturday, including a trio of recent graduates, Rachel Feldman, Hannah Deterding and All-American Michelle Bartsch. Laura DeBruler, the squads volunteer coach as well as Johannah Bangert will also be back (2010). Honorable Mention All-Big Ten performer Mary Coleman Hambly (1996) will also return along with Kristine Anderson Rousseau (2008) and Rachel Henderson (2007). The remainder of those expected to return are Patricia Albee Beam (1955-59) and Kelly See Finet (1981-84).
"It also provides the fans their first opportunity to see the team in action and at least a glimpse of what we should be for the rest of the season," Hambly said.
The Illini return five starters from last year's team that won 32 matches and reached the program's first NCAA title match. Redshirt-freshmen Jocelynn Birks, and Ali Stark and sophomore Morganne Criswell look to become the Illini's top hitters. Birk, the 6-2 Lyons Township graduate was a 2010 second-team All-American and the News-Gazette state Player of the Year in high school. The 2010 Iowa Gatorade Player of the Year, Stark saw action in three matches last year before suffering an injury and being granted a medical hardship. Criswell, had early success, including a season-best eight kills vs. Houston. Senior Annie Luhrsen returns for her second season as the starting setter after ranking third in the Big Ten in assists and was named to the NCAA All-Tournament team after tallying 268 assists and 52 digs during the tourney.
The Illini return to action next weekend as they compete in the Dayton Flyer Classic on Friday, Aug. 24 and Saturday, Aug. 25.
