Illinois hockey hoping for a rebound year
By Stephen Cohn, Staff writer
August 22, 2016
Filed under Hockey, Men's Sports, Special Sections, Sports, Welcome Back
Illinois hockey is healthier and more experienced in 2016, after fighting through senior captain John Olen’s injuries last February. “Right now, the focus is baby steps,” junior forward Eric Cruickshank said. “We’re not going to make any assumptions that we’re going to win a national championship,...
Illinois volleyball looks to rebound from mediocre 2015 season
By James Boyd and Jacob Diaz, Staff writers
August 22, 2016
Filed under Special Sections, Sports, Volleyball, Welcome Back, Women's Sports
One thousand, nine hundred and seventy two kills and 5,656 attacks later, Jocelynn Birks’ career at the University is finally over. Birks finished her time in Champaign as Illinois’s all-time kills and attacks leader. Head coach Kevin Hambly and his team find themselves on the cusp of ushering in...
Crime: Arrests plagued three Illini athletics programs in 2015-16
May 8, 2016
Filed under Sports
The majority of Illinois student-athletes made headlines for the right reasons in 2015-16, but six arrests stained several Illini athletic programs in the last year. Four members of the Illini men’s basketball team — one third of head coach John Groce’s allotment of scholarship players – w...
There is no place like home for Illinois men’s tennis
May 8, 2016
Filed under Men's Sports, Sports, Tennis
After a match against Michigan two weeks ago at Atkins Tennis Center, the Illinois men’s tennis team celebrated its two seniors on the team, but one player didn’t feel like that match would be the last at the complex. Jared Hiltzik said he felt that he and his team would host a regional site. ...
Young Illinois women’s golf team appears to have promising future
May 8, 2016
Filed under Golf, Sports, Women's Sports
Despite a disappointing end to its season, the Illinois women’s golf team has a lot to look forward to. The team was not selected to participate in the NCAA Regional Tournament despite a fourth-place finish in the Big Ten championships after being given an eight seed. Although not selected, Illinois’...
2016 Illini of the Year: Isaiah Martinez
May 8, 2016
Filed under Illini of the Week, Men's Sports, Sports, Top Stories, Wrestling
Entering his sophomore campaign, Illinois wrestler Isaiah Martinez was one-fourth of the way done with the goal he set coming into college: go undefeated and win four national championships. But on Jan. 23, one part of Martinez’s could no longer be accomplished. The date marked the soon-to-be tw...
Illini women’s tennis cap off strong spring season
May 8, 2016
Filed under Sports, Tennis, Women's Sports
The Illinois women’s tennis ended its season in a Big Ten tournament semifinals loss against highly-ranked Ohio State in East Lansing, Michigan. But despite their season ending early, the Illini still finished with an impressive spring record. After parting ways with longtime head coach Michelle...
Illinois volleyball fell short of championship expectations
May 8, 2016
Filed under Sports, Volleyball, Women's Sports
The Illinois volleyball team came into the 2015 season with championship expectations but fell short in the Sweet Sixteen. Head coach Kevin Hambly’s squad finished the season with a 21-13 overall record but a 10-10 Big Ten record that resulted in a seventh-place regular season finish in conference p...
Illinois soccer miss out on NCAA tournament again
By Matt Gertsmeier, Staff writer
May 8, 2016
Filed under Soccer, Sports, Women's Sports
At the conclusion of the Illinois soccer team’s Big Ten Tournament 3-1 loss to Penn State back in November, head coach Janet Rayfield said her team was going to hope for the best in receiving a berth to the NCAA tournament. “We’re going to prepare as if we are in because that is certainly a possibili...
Illinois baseball: Year in Review
May 8, 2016
Filed under Baseball, Men's Sports, Sports
Editor's note: The team was still playing at the time of print. Both coaches and players on the Illinois baseball team have stressed one word in particular when addressing their current season: inconsistency. “There’s days I think we take a step forward, and then there’s some days we’re med...
Injury-depleted Illini finish 15-19, fall in third round of Big Ten tournament
May 8, 2016
Filed under Basketball, Men's Sports, Sports
Illinois basketball (15-19, 12th in Big Ten) experienced many injuries and off-the-court issues this season. The first blow occurred when point guard Tracy Abrams tore his achilles tendon in July, forcing him to sit out the entire season for the second-straight year. Two other would-be starters ha...
Illini struggle throughout 2015-2016 season
May 8, 2016
Filed under Basketball, Sports, Women's Sports
The Illinois women’s basketball team finished another disappointing season under head coach Matt Bollant’s fourth year. The Illini (9-21, 2-16 Big Ten) struggled to get anything going in Big Ten play, and as a result, ended their season in last place in the conference. The team’s 9-21 re...
