NCAA Volleyball Countdown: #17 Illinois
NCAA Volleyball Countdown: #17 Illinois
The University of Illinois women's volleyball team snagged the No. 17 ranking in our NCAA Countdown.
Check out the FloVolleyball NCAA Countdown, where we rank the top 20 collegiate women's volleyball teams in the country leading up to opening day on August 26. The No. 17 spot goes to Illinois this year, and here's why:
The Fighting Illini lost a lot of close matches last season. They plan to reverse that trend in 2016.
Michelle Strizak | 6-1 | Senior | Outside Hitter
3.00 kills/set (.230); 0.38 blocks/set
Katie Stadick | 6-3 | Senior | Middle Blocker
2.51 kills/set (.305); 1.20 blocks/set
Naya Crittendon | 6-2 | Senior | Opposite
1.82 kills/set (.206); 0.94 blocks/set
Ali Bastianelli | 6-3 | Sophomore | Middle Blocker
1.08 kills/set (.230); 1.39 blocks/set (#21 in nation)
Jordyn Poulter | 6-2 | Sophomore | Setter
10.46 assists/set
Blayke Hranicka | 6-0 | Sophomore | Middle Blocker
Transferred from NC State; 2.51 kills/set (.356); 1.17 blocks/set
Jacqueline Quade | 6-2 | Freshman | Outside Hitter
Kaylin Korte | 6-2 | Freshman | Outside Hitter
Jocelynn Birks | 6-2 | Outside Hitter
3.95 kills/set (.207); 0.52 blocks/set
Non-Conference Matches to Watch
September 2 vs. Stanford @ Colorado
September 9 @ Oregon
Coach Kevin Hambly (eighth season) had a team of terrific blockers last season, and he expects them to be even better this fall. Sophomore middle Ali Bastianelli, who had plenty of roofs as a freshman, had successful shoulder surgery in the offseason and should team with fellow middle Katie Stadick to clog opponents' hitting lanes. Good blocking, however, often comes from good serving, and area that Hambly plans to work on in the weeks ahead. "We don't miss much," he said of his servers, "but we could be a lot more aggressive." Hambly spoke highly of sophomore Blayke Hranicka, a transfer from NC State who put up big blocking numbers of her own. A large group of incoming freshmen includes plenty of Under Armour All-Americans, highlighted by 6-2 OH Jacqueline Quade. But Illini success might ultimately come down to leadership--Hambly said last year's team had a tough time closing out tight matches, often "failing to compete for each other." He'll call on his seniors--and sophomore setter Jordyn Poulter--to make sure Illinois makes every point count.
In the nation's toughest conference, Illinois will be in the hunt for a spot behind the top tier of Nebraska, Minnesota and Wisconsin. An early non-conference match against Stanford could help determine if the Illini can beat the likes of Penn State and Ohio State down the stretch.
Previously:
20. Louisville
19. UNC
18. BYU
Additional research and reporting contributed by Leslie Hamann.
The Upshot
The Fighting Illini lost a lot of close matches last season. They plan to reverse that trend in 2016.
Last Season
- 21-13 overall, 10-10 in Big Ten (tied for 7th place)
- 2-1 in NCAA Tournament (lost 3-0 vs. Minnesota @ Des Moines)
- No. 23 in final 2015 RPI
- Team Hitting Percentage: .231 (#87 in nation)
- Opponents' Hitting Percentage: .181 (#66 in nation)
- Team blocks per set: 2.88 (#14)
The Players
RETURNING STARS
Michelle Strizak | 6-1 | Senior | Outside Hitter
3.00 kills/set (.230); 0.38 blocks/set
Katie Stadick | 6-3 | Senior | Middle Blocker
2.51 kills/set (.305); 1.20 blocks/set
Naya Crittendon | 6-2 | Senior | Opposite
1.82 kills/set (.206); 0.94 blocks/set
Ali Bastianelli | 6-3 | Sophomore | Middle Blocker
1.08 kills/set (.230); 1.39 blocks/set (#21 in nation)
Jordyn Poulter | 6-2 | Sophomore | Setter
10.46 assists/set
PROMISING NEWCOMERS
Blayke Hranicka | 6-0 | Sophomore | Middle Blocker
Transferred from NC State; 2.51 kills/set (.356); 1.17 blocks/set
Jacqueline Quade | 6-2 | Freshman | Outside Hitter
Kaylin Korte | 6-2 | Freshman | Outside Hitter
BIGGEST LOSSES
Jocelynn Birks | 6-2 | Outside Hitter
3.95 kills/set (.207); 0.52 blocks/set
Non-Conference Matches to Watch
September 2 vs. Stanford @ Colorado
September 9 @ Oregon
Outlook
Coach Kevin Hambly (eighth season) had a team of terrific blockers last season, and he expects them to be even better this fall. Sophomore middle Ali Bastianelli, who had plenty of roofs as a freshman, had successful shoulder surgery in the offseason and should team with fellow middle Katie Stadick to clog opponents' hitting lanes. Good blocking, however, often comes from good serving, and area that Hambly plans to work on in the weeks ahead. "We don't miss much," he said of his servers, "but we could be a lot more aggressive." Hambly spoke highly of sophomore Blayke Hranicka, a transfer from NC State who put up big blocking numbers of her own. A large group of incoming freshmen includes plenty of Under Armour All-Americans, highlighted by 6-2 OH Jacqueline Quade. But Illini success might ultimately come down to leadership--Hambly said last year's team had a tough time closing out tight matches, often "failing to compete for each other." He'll call on his seniors--and sophomore setter Jordyn Poulter--to make sure Illinois makes every point count.
Prediction
In the nation's toughest conference, Illinois will be in the hunt for a spot behind the top tier of Nebraska, Minnesota and Wisconsin. An early non-conference match against Stanford could help determine if the Illini can beat the likes of Penn State and Ohio State down the stretch.
Previously:
20. Louisville
19. UNC
18. BYU
Additional research and reporting contributed by Leslie Hamann.