Morgan O’Brien makes US national team
By Meghan Rest, Assistant Sports Editor
April 16, 2018
Filed under Sports, Top Stories, Volleyball, Women's Sports
nIf you asked freshman Morgan O’Brien about her volleyball career five years ago, the answer would have been vague. The defensive specialist has been a cornerstone defensive presence for Illinois after just one season with the team. But O’Brien’s biggest athletic success came unexpectedly t...
Spring volleyball update
By Meghan Rest, Assistant Sports Editor
April 16, 2018
Filed under Softball, Sports, Volleyball, Women's Sports
Spring volleyball isn’t anything new for the Illini, but some of the teams they play are. Illinois has faced Kentucky several times in previous fall seasons; however, local teams like Bradley and Illinois State represent uncharted territory for Illinois. So far during the spring season, Illinois has twice o...
Illinois volleyball gears up for spring season
March 29, 2018
Filed under Sports, Volleyball, Women's Sports
The 2017 season was a good one for Illinois volleyball. For the Illini, “good” meant finishing sixth overall in the Big Ten – behind five teams that were ranked well into the top-20 nationally, including the eventual NCAA Champion. It meant breaking through to the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA to...
The only sport that matters
By Cole Henke, Sports editor
December 7, 2017
Filed under Sports, Volleyball, Women's Sports
The first sporting event I ever went to as a student at the University was a volleyball game. The Illini took on a ranked North Carolina team. It was the first college volleyball game I had ever seen, and the place was packed. To this day, it is still one of my favorite memories I have as a fan. Huff H...
Illinois Volleyball ready for Sweet 16 revenge against Spartans
By Meghan Rest, Staff writer
December 7, 2017
Filed under Sports, Top Stories, Volleyball, Women's Sports
The Illinois volleyball team isn’t just looking to advance through the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA tournament, it’s also looking for redemption. After nailing down a five-set win against Hawaii in the tournament opener, Illinois went on to upset No. 8 seed Washington on its home court in another fi...
Illinois volleyball moves on to the Sweet 16
By Meghan Rest, Staff Writer
December 4, 2017
Filed under Showcase, Sports, Top Stories, Volleyball, Women's Sports
“Sweet” was the word of the weekend for the Illini. After two thrilling five-set victories in the first rounds of the NCAA tournament Friday and Saturday, Illinois punched its ticket to the Sweet 16. This marks the eighth time in 10 years Illinois has advanced this far. The journey began Friday ni...
Illinois Volleyball ready for return to NCAA Tournament
November 30, 2017
Filed under Men's Sports, Sports, Volleyball
The Illini have made up for missing last year’s NCAA tournament and then some. Illinois’ 21-10 overall season has spoken volumes over last year’s record of 17-14, and its 12-8 record in the Big Ten says even more. The Illini have climbed their way up from last season’s 10-10 conference record to a mo...
Donnelly’s final act with Illinois volleyball
By Meghan Rest, Staff Writer
November 27, 2017
Filed under Sports, Top Stories, Volleyball, Women's Sports
For college athletes, nothing is scarier than a serious injury. Just ask senior libero Brandi Donnelly. After sitting on the sidelines for almost a month, Illinois’ defensive cornerstone jumped back into action Nov. 1 against Northwestern. Donnelly hadn’t seen the court since the second set agai...
Strong finish earns Illini a tournament bid
By Meghan Rest, Staff Writer
November 26, 2017
Filed under Sports, Volleyball, Women's Sports
With 21 wins under their belt, the Illini are ready for the first round of NCAA regionals. The door has closed on the regular season for Illinois volleyball. But after tying it all together with a three-game winning streak, the women are more than hopeful for a successful trip to the tournament this...
Volleyball falls to No. 12 Wisconsin
By Meghan Rest, Staff writer
November 17, 2017
Filed under Sports, Top Stories, Volleyball, Women's Sports
Illinois got off to a fast start against No. 12 Wisconsin on Friday night. But, in its third-to-last home game of the season, the Illini fell to the Badgers 3-1. “I thought Wisconsin played well, but I also think we left a lot of point on the floor,” said head coach Chris Tamas. “We made too many...
Illinois volleyball set for last regular season homestand
By Meghan Rest, Staff writer
November 17, 2017
Filed under Sports, Top Stories, Volleyball, Women's Sports
Illinois volleyball will return to Huff Hall this Friday at 6 p.m. to begin the team’s final stretch of regular season home games. As the season winds down, Illinois will take on No. 13 Wisconsin for the first time this year. Despite Wisconsin's top-20 ranking in the NCAA, the Badgers are 8-8 in t...
Volleyball recap: Illinois’ rough weekend in Michigan
By Meghan Rest, Staff writer
November 13, 2017
Filed under Sports, Top Stories, Volleyball, Women's Sports
Despite a 0-2 weekend on the road, the Illini are learning how to become more polished as the post-season approaches. Illinois is now 18-9 overall and 9-7 in the Big Ten. According to head coach Chris Tamas, Illinois found silver linings in between losses to No. 8 Michigan State on Friday and M...
