2015 TICKET PLAYBOOK
TABLE OF CONTENTS 2015 SCHEDULE...................................................................3 HUFF HALL MAP................................................................4 SEASON TICKET PRICING..................................................5 NEW SEASON TICKETS......................................................5 SEASON TICKET RENEWAL...............................................6 INDIVIDUAL MATCH TICKETS............................................7 NCAA TOURNAMENT INFORMATION..............................8 NETWORKERS....................................................................9 HUFF HALL FEATURE.........................................................10 STATE OF THE PROGRAM...................................................11
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2015 SCHEDULE SATURDAY AUGUST 22 ORANGE & BLUE SCRIMMAGE FRIDAY AUGUST 28 LOUISVILLE (ILLINI CLASSIC) SATURDAY AUGUST 29 MIAMI (OH) (ILLINI CLASSIC) SATURDAY AUGUST 29 CREIGHTON (ILLINI CLASSIC) Friday September 4 vs Stanford (Big Ten/Pac-12 Challenge) Saturday September 5 vs Colorado (Big Ten/Pac-12 Challenge) Friday September 11 vs Kentucky (Shocker Volleyball Classic) Saturday September 12 vs South Dakora State (Shocker Volleyball Classic) Saturday September 12 at Wichita State (Shocker Volleyball Classic) Friday September 18 vs Texas Southern (Red Lyon Invitational) Saturday September 19 vs UNLV (Red Lyon Invitational) Saturday September 19 at Arizona State (Red Lyon Invitational) Friday September 25 at Maryland Saturday September 26 at Rutgers Wednesday September 30 at Wisconsin Saturday October 3 at Minnesota FRIDAY OCTOBER 9 PENN STATE SATURDAY OCTOBER 10 OHIO STATE FRIDAY OCTOBER 16 IOWA SATURDAY OCTOBER 17 NEBRASKA Friday October 23 at Indiana Saturday October 24 at Purdue FRIDAY OCTOBER 30 MICHIGAN STATE SATURDAY OCTOBER 31 MICHIGAN Wednesday November 4 at Northwestern SATURDAY NOVEMBER 7 NORTHWESTERN Wednesday November 11 at Ohio State SATURDAY NOVEMBER 14 RUTGERS WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 18 WISCONSIN SATURDAY NOVEMBER 21 INDIANA Wednesday November 25 at Nebraska Friday November 27 at Michigan FRIDAY DECEMBER 4 NCAA 1ST ROUND SATURDAY DECEMBER 5 NCAA 2ND ROUND Friday December 11 NCAA Regionals Saturday December 12 NCAA Regionals Thursday December 17 NCAA Semifinal Saturday December 19 NCAA Championship 3
HUFF HALL MAP
200
215 ADA SEATING
101
201
213
113
102
202
212
112
103
203
104
204
211
PRESS ROW
114
SCORE TABLE
214
111
210
110
105
205
209
109
106
206
208
108
107
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207 BLUE - Reserved GRAY - General Admission ORANGE - Student GREEN- Band
SEASON TICKET PRICING GENERAL ADMISSION - $35 VB/WBB COMBO GA - $45
RESERVED (PUBLIC) - $85 Reserved season tickets are located in the reserved seating sections of: 101-106 and 111-114. Reserved season tickets are $85 per ticket for general public and $75 for Illinois Faculty/Staff. All new and additional reserved season ticket orders, as well as request for changes are reviewed first based on annual giving level and then priority points within your giving level.
General admission season tickets are also available for sale in addition to our reserved season tickets. General admission season tickets are located in sections 200-215. General admission season tickets are $35. Volleyball/Women’s Basketball General Admission Combo Season Tickets include a ticket to all Fighting Illini Volleyball and Women’s Basketball home games for just $45.
NEW SEASON TICKETS NEW SEASON TICKETS New season tickets in the GENERAL ADMISSION seating areas will go on sale beginning mid-May. Due to limited availability, new season tickets in the RESERVED seating will be available beginning in mid-June. Returning season ticket holders are able to add on additional season tickets during the renewal time period. New season tickets may be purchased online at FIGHTINGILLINI.com, by calling the Illinois Ticket Office at 217-333-3470 or 1-866-ILLINI-1, or in person at the Illinois Ticket Office at 2141 S. Neil St., Champaign, IL.
SEAT CHANGE REQUESTS Requests can be made to change your current seat location based on availability. This process is also an opportunity to allow current season ticket holders purchasing additional seats to relocate their seats if you would like them together. All seat changes are based on availability, and will be done based on current I FUND level and priority points within your giving level. PARKING Complimentary parking for the general public is located in Lot E-12 on the east side of Huff Hall, and in the grass lot located just south of Huff Hall (weather permitting). Handicap parking spots are located in the lots north and northwest of Huff Hall.
ADDITIONAL SEASON TICKETS Current season tickets holders requesting additional seats in the RESERVED seating area will be contacted to discuss seating locations. Although additional seats are not guaranteed to be next to your current season tickets, season ticket holders have the option to request a seat change.
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SEASON TICKET RENEWAL RENEW YOUR SEASON TICKETS ONLINE Renewing online is quick and easy with just a few simple steps:
DEADLINE FOR ORDERS Volleyball Season Ticket Renewals are due by Friday, June 19, 2015. Orders not received by this date will be considered late and are subject to seat relocation. ADDRESS CHANGES To ensure your season tickets are mailed to the correct address, it is the responsibility of each patron to inform the Illinois Ticket Office of any changes of address. Changes of address can be done on FIGHTINGILLINI.com by logging into your online account or via email at illinitickets@illinois. edu.
1) Visit FIGHTINGILLINI.com 2) Scroll over the Tickets tab at the top of the page and Click on the “Season Ticket Renewal” link from the drop down menu 3) Log in using your Account Number & Password* 4) Click on “2015 Volleyball Season Tickets” to view your renewal application 5) Complete your renewal by verifying your order and submitting payment
REFUNDS Refunds and exchanges will not be made unless an order is not filled. Refunds will not be made due to a game time or day change.
*If you are accessing your online account for the FIRST TIME: » Click onf the “REGISTER NOW” button » Enter your Account Number and the Online PIN (the PIN is given on your renewal form, but you may also contact the Illinois Ticket Office for additional assistance) » Click “Activate” » Verify all pertinent information, including a valid email address and create a password » Click “Next Step” » Return to Step 4 above.
ADMISSION POLICY All patrons two years of age and older must have a valid ticket for admission. Children under the age of two may be admitted without a ticket provided they sit on the lap of a parent or guardian. ACCESSIBLE SEATS Accessible seating at Huff Hall is available in the North end of the gym. Patrons who need to make accessible seating arrangements may purchase tickets in advance through the Illinois Ticket Office or on game day. Please see an usher upon entrance to Huff Hall to direct you to the accessible seating areas.
HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR RENEWAL Season Ticket Holders have the option to submit their renewal the following ways: 1) Via FIGHTINGILLINI.com 2) Over the phone at 217-333-3470 or toll-free at 1-866-ILLINI-1 3) By mail: 2141 S. Neil St., Champaign, IL 61820 4) By fax: (217) 244-4170 The Illinois Ticket Office accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or American Express. If paying by check, please write it to the University of Illinois.
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INDIVIDUAL MATCH TICKETS HOME SINGLE GAME TICKETS Individual match Reserved (subject to availability) and General Admission tickets will go on sale to the general public Wednesday, August 5 at 9:00 am. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Illinois Ticket Office at 217-333-3470 or 1-866-ILLINI1 or in person at the Illinois Ticket Office, located at 2141 S Neil Street, Champaign, IL.
GROUP TICKETS Groups of 10 or more can enjoy Fighting Illini volleyball matches for just $2 per ticket. Groups can also receive exclusive benefits based on the number of tickets purchased. For more information please contact the Illinois Ticket Office at 217-244-9259. SINGLE GAME PROMOTIONS For a full list of promotions for the 2015 season, visit FightingIllini.com.
On the night/day of the match, tickets are sold at the Ticketmobile, which is situated on the west side of Huff Hall on Fourth Street starting one hour prior to match-time. General admission individual match tickets are $5 for adults, and free for University of Illinois students. WILL CALL Volleyball Will Call is located at the Ticketmobile, which is situated on the west side of Huff Hall on Fourth Street. Will Call opens one hour prior to match time. In order to obtain tickets at Will Call, a photo ID that matches the name on the order must be presented at the time of pickup. If tickets are not picked up, no refund will be issued. ENTRY/RE-ENTRY All gates to Huff Hall open one our before match time. There will be no re-entry passes issued. If you leave the arena, you must present a full ticket to re-enter. AWAY GAME TICKETS Away game tickets for volleyball games are not available through the Illinois Ticket Office. Please contact the host school for ticket information and availability.
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NCAA TOURNAMENT TICKETS 2015 NCAA VOLLEYBALL FIRST AND SECOND ROUND Friday & Saturday, December 4 & 5, 2015 If Illinois is selected to host the First and Second Round NCAA Tournament matches, season ticket holders will have priority with regards to purchasing tickets. However, due to NCAA Tournament ticket allotments and allocations, it may not be possible to receive the same ticket location for the tournament as you have for your season tickets. The Illinois Ticket Office will do everything they can to accommodate you with comparable seating should this occur. More information will become available after the start of the season. Please note that Illinois is not guaranteed of hosting the first and second rounds. Should Illinois not be selected to host, tickets will be available through the host site. Tickets for all additional rounds of the 2015 NCAA Volleyball tournament will be available for purchase through the host site. 2015 NCAA VOLLEYBALL REGIONAL SITES Friday & Saturday, December 11 & 12, 2015 Memorial Coliseum / Lexington, KY - hosted by Kentucky Gregory Gym / Austin, TX - hosted by Texas Jenny Craig Pavilion / San Diego, CA - hosted by San Diego Wells Fargo Arena / Des Moines, IA - hosted by Northern Iowa and Des Moines Area Sports Commission 2015 NCAA VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS Thursday & Saturday, December 17 & 19, 2015 Century Link Center Omaha, NE Purchase tickets: Ticketmaster.com The Illinois Athletic Ticket Office will communicate any postseason ticket information as it becomes available. Sign up for email messages from FightingIllini.com to receive ticket alerts in your inbox.
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ILLINI NETWORKERS The Illini Networkers were formed in 1984 to support the Illinois Women’s Volleyball Team. Members enjoy the opportunity to support the team by attending matches, showing their Illini spirit, attending special Illini Networkers events, and pitching in with their talents and resources. Being a member of the Illini Networkers is a great way to follow Fighting Illini volleyball and get to know more about one of the Big Ten’s and nation’s premier women’s college volleyball programs. Head Coach Kevin Hambly says, “The Networkers are one of the components that make the Illini program very special. The work they do behind the scenes has added a great deal to not only the athletes’ experience but also the Spike Squad (student fan group) and the community.” In recent years, Illini Networkers have supported the team in many ways. A few ways include: - Attending home and away matches - Supporting international competitions - Enhancing the Fighting Illini volleyball team locker rooms and meeting rooms - Sponsoring the annual volleyball team awards banquet - Honoring the Fighting Illini volleyball seniors each year with a fan reception in Huff Gym - Supporting student “Spike Squad” activities at home and away matches. TOP REASONS TO JOIN THE ILLINI NETWORKERS - Support the team and women’s athletics at the University of Illinois - Networkers can be selected as honorary associate coach - Each Networker membership will receive an autographed team photo - Be entered into special drawings for autographed volleyballs at Chalk Talks - Networker-only pregame Chalk Talks featuring Head Coach Kevin Hambly - Get to know the Fighting Illini volleyball team and coaches through special events - Join the fun of being part of the premier women’s volleyball support group in the nation - Picnic with the volleyball team, coaching staff, and fans - Get inside information on the team during the season - Attend the annual awards banquet MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION Annual memberships start at $10 for college students and $40 for individuals and families (Family Membership includes high school and younger children). For more information and to join, please email illininetworkers@gmail.com.
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HUFF HALL:
“THE LOUDEST GYM IN THE COUNTRY” One of the best parts of Fighting Illini volleyball is Huff Hall. The Orange and Blue’s home court since 1990, the atmosphere at Huff night in and night out would best be described as “electric.” Consistently ranked among the top 10 in the country in home attendance, the Illini have averaged over 3,000 fans per match in each of the past two seasons and set a new single-match attendance record with a sellout crowd of 4,536 last season against Wisconsin.
A huge component of the Huff Hall atmosphere is the Illini student section, the Spike Squad. Touted “the best student section in the nation,” by Big Ten Network announcer Mike Wolf, the Spike Squad shows up en masse for every single match and makes Illinois volleyball unlike any other event.
“The uniqueness of the cheers that they do, we have personalized cheers for serving and blocks and kills for every single player. It’s a unique thing.” The sellout came on the first-ever IlliNOISE Night, – Daniel Borup, former Illini Pride president where the Illini Faithful proved that they are the and Spike Squad chair loudest volleyball fans in the nation. The exhilarated crowd registered a decibel reading of 105 dB during “I like that it’s more of a family feel, because you the match, well above the sound of a speeding can’t go down on the field with the football team express train. and sing the alma mater after a win. But with the volleyball team, you get to go right on the court or “The environment was incredible, 4,500 people,” right next to the court, and you’re with all of your said head coach Kevin Hambly after the match. “I friends and family and the players singing the alma don’t know what the decibel level was, but it hurt mater. It’s great.” my ears...It felt dangerous.” – Rommel Taylor, Spike Squad member The Illini hope the set the bar even higher this “My buddy, he went to Stuff Huff and he came season, with expectations for the 2015 season as home and said, ‘Volleyball was crazy, man. It’s like lofty as ever. But don’t just take our word for it… nothing I’ve ever been to. It was so much fun.’” – Mateusz Tkacz ’15, Spike Squad member “When it’s rockin’, Huff Hall’s got to be the loudest place in the country!” “To see a volleyball student section go on for over – Kevin Hambly, Illinois head volleyball coach 25 years, that’s just incredible. That really shows passion, loyalty, respect for the program. If we’ve “I can’t imagine Huff getting any louder [for gone 25, who says we can’t go another 25.” IlliNOISE Night] than it has been. I think our fans – Eric Federico, Spike Squad member and our Spike Squad have been awesome bringing that energy. I’m kind of scared to see how much “It’s a considerable advantage. Over the past few more energy they can bring, but it will be fun. The years, numerous Big Ten players have called Huff Pac-12 has nothing on Huff. Huff is the loudest Hall the toughest place to play in the league, and gym I’ve ever played in, even going to other a big part of that is the Spike Squad. The unified schools when I played in the Pac-12.” chants, party atmosphere and clear knowledge – Illinois junior Allison Palmer, an ASU transfer of the game has made the Spike Squad the best student section in the nation, and that certainly “The proximity of the fans to the court and how impacts the play on the floor.” loud it can get in Huff Hall makes it a very difficult - Mike Wolf, Big Ten Network volleyball place to play.” announcer – Micha Hancock, Penn State setter and 2014 AVCA National Player of the Year 10
STATE OF THE PROGRAM The Fighting Illini volleyball program is poised to reach new heights in 2015, returning All-American outside hitter Jocelynn Birks, Big Ten All-Freshman libero Brandi Donnelly, two-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week Katie Stadick and two-time Big Ten weekly award winner Alexis Viliunas from the 2014 NCAA Sweet 16 team, as well as seven players that have been regular starters throughout their careers. Additionally, the Illini will be joined by the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation, featuring three of the top 50 incoming players in the country including the nation’s top-rated setter.
But almost was not enough for the Fighting Illini, and on October 11 they showed just how dangerous they could be. The Illini headed into the Lions’ den to take on then-No. 5 Penn State, the defending national champion, on a home court where PSU had won 94 of the previous 96 Big Ten matches—with the 2011 Illini representing one of those two losses. It did not start well, as Penn State ran out to a 19-8 lead in the first set, but the Illini never gave in, battling all the way back to erase the 11-point deficit and take the opening set, 26-24, then defeat the Nittany Lions, 3-1.
MARQUEE VICTORIES HEADLINED SUCCESSFUL “I was proud of the kids for fighting the way they 2014 CAMPAIGN fought and continuing to punch and punch,” head coach Kevin Hambly said after the match. “This is The Fighting Illini continued the a tough place to win. To come in here and play the volleyball program’s storied tradition way we played, we did a good job. After some big of success in 2014, exhibiting veteran runs by Penn State, in the past I think we would experience with uniquely strong team have gone down, and I think we handled it great.” chemistry. Finishing the season with a 26-8 final record and seven victories over The Illini hardly had time ranked opponents, the No. 11 Illini placed to celebrate the win, as third in the Big Ten (16-4) and reached the just seven days later NCAA Sweet 16 for the fifth time in six years. they went into yet another battle zone, The Illini burst onto the scene ready to play facing No. 13 Nebraska in August, sweeping through the Illini in Lincoln—a place in which the Classic without dropping a set, including Orange and Blue had not won since sweeps of Long Beach State and North 1989. But the Orange and Blue did Carolina who would both finish the not need a break, as 40 kills between season ranked in the top 25. The Orange Morganne Criswell and Jocelynn Birks and Blue set the bar high and proved led the Illini past the talented Huskers, throughout the season that they were 3-1, to become the first NCAA program ready to take on the best in the nation. since 1991 to defeat the two powerhouse teams on their home courts in the same season. Illinois turned heads in the second week of play at the Big Ten/Pac-12 Challenge, “I think it was two evenly-matched teams, taking Stanford down to the wire before two real physical teams,” said Hambly. “Both falling in five sets. The Cardinal were teams fought hard, but we executed a little bit fresh off a victory over defending better in some key moments. It’s going to come national champion No. 1 Penn State down to that in a lot of matches, to who’s calm and would be crowned the No. 1 team and who relaxes and who makes the plays.” in the nation the next day and remain undefeated for the next 11 weeks. 11
That calm under pressure and never-say-die attitude led the Illini to earn 14 three-set victories and take just one three-set loss, fighting hard in every single match and forcing opponents to go the full five sets to get past them.
need to do, I have to get back out there. When I got back on the court, I just knew I had to make something happen and make a difference.”
With their setter back in the lineup, the Illini surged back in front to win the second set then took a 2-1 “The thing that stands out to me about last year is match lead, but an early run in the fourth by the that there was only one match that we really got Gators was too much to overcome, as the battle it handed to us and that was UCLA,” said Hambly. continued into a fifth set. The injury bug persisted, “Every other match was an absolute battle. To as Morganne Criswell re-aggravated an injury she me, that just spoke to had been struggling with the competitiveness of for much of the season, “Out of all the teams I our group and the fight. but she pushed through Out of all the teams I coached, I think we were the it, using back-to-back kills coached, I think we were to tie the score at 14-14 hardest out to beat.” the hardest out to beat.” after once trailing 7-2. However, the senior was - Kevin Hambly, Head Coach With the B1G giants out unable to send her team of their way, the Illini into the Elite Eight, as the cruised through Big Ten final attack of her career play, posting a 16-4 conference record for a third- just missed the blockers’ outstretched fingertips place finish and earning the No. 9 overall seed for and sailed out of bounds to end the 2 hour and the 2014 NCAA Tournament. The Illini swept their 20 minute battle in favor of the Gators, 16-14. way through home matches with Murray State and Iowa “We won a lot of matches, and we had a good year, State to advance to the NCAA and we made it to the Sweet Sixteen, which has Regional for the fifth time under become the standard for us,” said Hambly. “We Coach Hambly and headed out wanted more, and losing to Ames, Iowa, for a matchup with 16-14 to Florida in the fifth the streaking #8-seed Florida Gators. set is something we won’t forget. I think it’s going to stick with us, it’s motivating Tough luck struck the Illini in the Sweet us now, but I think of the team that battled and 16, as setter Alexis Viliunas sustained competed every night more than any team I’ve ever an injury during a collision with an coached. That added up to a really tough out for us.” opposing attacker in the second set and left the court. The Illini rallied around ***** their fallen teammate, fighting hard to stay afloat without their offensive ILLINI FOCUS ON GROWTH, FUNDAMENTALS quarterback. Several minutes later, DURING SPRING SEASON the Illini faithful breathed a sigh of relief, as Viliunas returned from With the abrupt end to the 2014 postseason, the training room with a smile the Fighting Illini were eager to get back into on her face, ready to sub back in. the gym after Winter Break, returning to Huff Hall for daily 6 a.m. practices that focused “I was in the training room on technique and reinforcing good habits. with Randy (Ballard) and I thought that I had to get back “I think losing 16-14 in the fifth [set] has helped,” out there,” said Viliunas. said Hambly. “Our kids have a great growth mindset “I told him, whatever you where they’re trying to get better. Players that are 12
good are even better now. Like Jocelynn, she’s an All- show on the road, bringing NCAA volleyball to American and she’s a much better player now and she people who may not have had the opportunity to wants to be even better.“ see such a high level of competition before. Not This spring, the goal was only did the Orange and “We’re going to provide the to operate with a growth Blue have the chance to atmosphere and the culture that mindset, working on expose a new audience allow them to grow if they are building team chemistry to the Fighting Illini, but committed to it, and they are and holding oneself they also had the delight and one’s teammates committed to it so there’s a lot of of returning to some of accountable for the goals the Illini’s hometowns for good growth going on.” they set forth. The Illini competitions. worked hard on the court - Kevin Hambly, Head Coach and in the weight room, The spring began in building strength and Waukesha, Wisconsin, agility while concentrating where the Illini took on on fundamentals and technique. Big Ten foe Minnesota at the home arena of the Milwakee Sting, Katie Stadick’s former club team. “The spring right now is very much about teaching them how to play the game at a level we want to “It was really fun to be back at Sting, just because play, and individually just working to improve all the there are club girls there and it’s always fun to see time,” said Hambly. “It’s really up to the players. college volleyball when you’re a club player,” said We’re going to provide the atmosphere and the Stadick. “It was cool, because lots of my family and culture that allow them to grow if they are friends were able to come.” committed to it, and they are committed to it so there’s a lot of good growth going on. The competition slate concluded in Mount Vernon, Iowa, where the Illini faced Iowa “It’s exciting and fun to be in the gym. State in Ali Stark’s high school gymnasium. There’s been years in the past in the spring where I’m riding them every day “My highlight for this spring season was to get them to work hard. Now I feel definitely getting to go back home for the last like we’re working together to just tournament and play at Mount Vernon,” said be great and there’s a good dialogue Stark. “I hadn’t been back since I graduated, going on between the staff and the so it was really cool to be back in the gym. players, and that’s ideally what you I had the team over to my house for dinner, want as a coach.” and everybody got to experience a little bit of my house.” From Winter Break to Spring Vacation, the Illini focused on themselves, but In between, the Orange and Blue squared off come April, the Illini got the chance with Louisville at Cardinal Arena during the JVA to put those new skills to the test with World Challenge, featuring the top club teams some interscholastic competition. Every from around the country and abroad, giving Saturday in April, the Orange and Blue talented young athletes and their families a hit the road for top notch competition, chance to see what their next step could look like. taking on Minnesota, Louisville and Iowa “The World Championship was cool because State as well as participating in the Indy we had a really good crowd,” said Hambly. Collegiate Invitational. “We had about 1200 people there watching, which was cool. Any time you can put on a This year, the Illini chose to take the good event during the spring is great.” 13
FRESH FACES
American, Bastianelli led the Legacy Volleyball club to a perfect 13-0 record to capture the 2013 AAU 16 Open National Championship. She followed that performance by claiming first place at the 2014 Mizuno Sports Performance National Junior Classic in Chicago and taking home Most Valuable Player honors.
After a successful spring, the Fighting Illini have high hopes for 2015, returning all-star talent while adding four highly-touted newcomers. The signing class features three decorated athletes, setter Jordyn Poulter, middle blocker Ali Bastianelli and outside hitter Beth Prince, while the Illini also add junior Naya “Ali’s a great slide hitter, which is exciting for us, Crittenden, an opposite because I think typically hitter who joined the Illini we have recruited middles “ She’s an incredible leader and this summer after two that their biggest strength seasons at the University a unique, big, physical presence. is blocking,” said Haen. of Oregon. The trio of “Ali is definitely a scorer, She’s a natural leader. She will signees, who were all so it will be fun to see how want to come in as a freshman that plays into our team. named to Volleyball Magazine’s Fab 50 list, She’s also a big presence; right away and step up” signifying each as one she’s not a small kid. She’s of the top 50 senior 6-4 and also a monster - Hillary Haen, Assistant Coach volleyball recruits in the block. She’s a fighter.” on Jordyn Poulter nation, were tabbed as the NCAA’s No. 1 “To me, she’s ferocious,” recruiting class - the 4th said Hambly. “She’s a top 10 class during Hambly’s tenure. ferocious competitor and she just wants to win, desperately. She just does whatever she can to help A native of Aurora, Colorado, Poulter comes to a team win. She’s very unselfish.” the Illini after earning the Andi Collins Award for the nation’s best senior setter. A member of Front The 2011 National Freshman of the Year according Range 18-Black club team, Poulter has a depth of to both ESPN and PrepVolleyball.com, Prince led experience in international competition, leading the Avon Orioles to back-to-back Indiana State the U.S. Junior National Team to the gold medal in Championships in 2012 and 2013 as well as a Guatemala last July in one of the several national runner-up finish in 2011. Despite struggling with team tournaments that she competed in. injuries throughout her high school campaign, Prince eclipsed the Avon career kills record by more “Watch her play—she’s a competitor,” said than 250 slams. Hambly. “She’s a leader with her group, and first and foremost she’s a great setter. She locates the “Her shoulders are back, her confidence is back,” team and locates the ball and runs an offense. said Haen. “She’s been crushing balls and blocking The only word that I have for her is elite.” balls, and she’s just really becoming the player that we knew she was, and we knew she was going to “Jordyn’s a phenomenal setter,” said assistant coach be a great asset.” Hillary Haen, a former Illini All-American setter. “She’s an incredible leader and a unique, big, physical “She’s been a great point scorer,” said Hambly. presence. She’s a natural leader. She will want to “She’s a big, strong kid. Her club coach told me that come in as a freshman right away and step up and she’s going to help us in some way no matter what’s add stuff to our culture and add stuff to our team.” going on because of her personality and the type of kid she is, and I believe that, but I really want her Hailing from Marysville, Michigan, Bastianelli is a to help us on the floor. I think she absolutely has an strong two-way middle, showing talent on both opportunity to do that both in her freshman year offense and in the blocking unit. An AAU All- and moving forward throughout her career.” 14
“The three freshmen that are coming in are just fun kids,” Haen continued. “They’re kids that fit right in line with our culture, and they’re excellent competitors.” The most-recent addition to the Fighting Illini comes from the West Coast, as Naya Crittenden has elected to leave the Ducks to don the Orange and Blue. The right side hitter appeared in 59 matches at Oregon, totaling 231 kills and 64 blocks. The hardhitting lefty registered five double-digit kill matches, including hitting .480 with 14 kills and two blocks against New Mexico on Sept 6, 2014. No stranger to the postseason, the Modesto, California, native has played in three NCAA Tournament matches, including hitting .400 against North Carolina in the 2014 NCAA Sweet 16.
libero as a true freshman and posted the secondmost digs in program history. A three-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week, she emerged as one of the premier defensive players in the conference and on the national stage. Setter: The Illini welcome back Alexis Viliunas for her senior season in 2015. Named Big Ten Setter of the Week on October 20, the offensive director transitioned back from a 6-2 to a 5-1 offense in the middle of the season and needed no time adjusting, navigating the Illini to the epic victory at No. 5 Penn State in her first match of the season as the Illini’s sole setter.
The La Grange, Illinois, native may be upstaged, however, by the addition of Jordyn Poulter, who is rated by PrepVolleyball.com as the best high school “Naya’s a great athlete,” said Hambly. “She brings setter in the nation. Her experience in international a physical presence that we lost with McMahon(`s competition should have prepared her for the high graduation). Time will tell about how she fits quality of play in college volleyball, while also giving into our system. I think she’s actually a really her experience with jumping into a new team and good fit for how we play and how we want learning to direct the offense right away without to play, but you never know until they’re much practice time, providing her a great shot at here. Mostly, I think she fits us culturally, being the opening day starter. and she wants to come and work hard and work on her game and become a complete player. We’re Middle Blocker: With the graduation of excited to have kids like that, that are athletic Anna Dorn, the Illini will have an open spot and want to be a part of that.” up front in the middle. However, the Illini return juniors Katie Stadick and Maddie “All in all, I think the four of these guys Mayers, who have each started beside coming in are really exciting,” Hambly Dorn for an entire season, while adding finished. “ferocious” offensive middle Ali Bastianelli, giving Coach Hambly three solid options for EXPECTATIONS FOR 2015 the two rotation spots. Pin Hitters: The Illini have two available spots on the pins, having lost four-year starter Liz McMahon, an All-America Honorable Mention, as well as Morganne Criswell, who provided a fiery unconventional slam from the outside. Nonetheless, the Illini have incredible depth in the pins, with six solid players fighting for the three spaces in the rotation.
So what does all this mean for 2015? The 2015 Fighting Illini boast exceptional veteran talent mixed with highly-touted newcomers who are expected to contribute immediately. The roster will feature an unprecedented 13 upperclassman, nearly all of whom have been in the starting rotation during their careers, while adding some of the best incoming freshmen in the country. Let’s take a look at the 2015 team, position by position.
Illinois returns two-time All-American Jocelynn Birks, who has played the full six rotations for the Illini since the beginning
Libero: The Fighting Illini return Brandi Donnelly, who started all 34 matches at 15
of 2012. The Willow Springs, Illinois, native led the Big Ten in every offensive category in 2014 and is on pace to become Illinois’ all-time kills leader during the season. Fans will enjoy the countdown, as the prolific pin hitter, who has posted three consecutive 500-kill seasons, is just 297 deadly swings away from breaking the all-time record.
If she’s not in the offensive rotation, Stark could see time in a DS role, while former setters Allison Palmer and McKenna Kelsay are also competing for a chance at the back row. Both juniors have seen action at setter, DS and as a serving specialist during their careers. Palmer was named to the Pac-12 AllFreshman Team in 2012 as the primary setter for Arizona State, then started opposite Viliunas for Juniors Michelle Strizak and Katie Roustio split time the first 16 matches of 2014 before Coach Hambly with Criswell in 2014 as the second outside hitter, opted to return to a 5-1 formation, at which time each coming through in Palmer became the Illini’s some big moments for go-to serving specialist. the Illini. Roustio’s 11 “For us and our program, our goal kills at Penn State greatly “We have a lot returning,” has always been to win national contributed to the Illini’s said Hambly. “Even championships. That’s always been storied win in Happy though we lost some Valley, while Strizak led the focus and to do that you have good players, we still have an injury-plagued Illini to compete hard, you’ve got have a lot kids that have played past No. 10 Nebraska a lot returning, and we’re a great growth mindset, and let go adding some really nice with 15 slams the night of the results.” before Thanksgiving. players.”
- Kevin Hambly, Head Coach Senior Ali Stark will make “The team is not satisfied a bid for Liz McMahon’s with what happened last vacant spot on the right year,” said Hambly. “I side, competing with lefty transfer Naya Crittenden. think there’s some excitement. They want another Stark is an extremely versatile player, who has played shot to get in the mix and see how far we can go in nearly every position through her career, including the tournament and see if we can make a run, go taking over at libero for two sets at Northwestern into Omaha [Final Four] and hopefully win a couple when Donnelly left the match with the stomach flu. of matches there. For us and our program, our goal A potent lefty, Stark is a strong presence on the block has always been to win national championships. and a talented server, including 25 aces in 2013. That’s always been the focus and to do that you have to compete hard, you’ve got have a great growth Freshman Beth Prince is the final piece to the pin mindset, and let go of the results.” puzzle, as she began training with the Illini over the summer in hopes of claiming one the starting roles on opening day. Coach Hambly has said that he hopes to see Prince develop into a six-rotation player, something Stark has been at times in her career as well, and that she could see time on the left or the right side. Defensive Specialist: While it is possible that the starting lineup could feature two or even three sixrotation pins, the Illini have a deep list of talent in the back row, led by Danielle Davis and Julia Conard. Davis played all-but-one set in the back row in 2014, while Conard is a solid defender with an explosive jump serve. 16
2015 H O M E S C H E D U L E AUGUST 22
ORANGE & BLUE SCRIMMAGE
OCTOBER 30
MICHIGAN STATE
AUGUST 28
LOUISVILLE
OCTOBER 31
MICHIGAN
AUGUST 29
MIAMI (OH)
NOVEMBER 7
NORTHWESTERN
AUGUST 29
CREIGHTON
NOVEMBER 14
RUTGERS
OCTOBER 9
PENN STATE
NOVEMBER 18
WISCONSIN
OCTOBER 10
OHIO STATE
NOVEMBER 21
INDIANA
OCTOBER 16
IOWA
DECEMBER 4
NCAA 1ST ROUND
OCTOBER 17
NEBRASKA
DECEMBER 5
NCAA 2ND ROUND
17