Aug. 10, 2009

Coming off a Sweet 16 season, Illinois and first-year head coach Kevin Hambly began workouts on Monday with just over two weeks until the beginning of the regular season. The Fighting Illini begin the season ranked 13th nationally by Volleyball Magazine .

Illinois is one of four Big Ten teams in the rankings led by defending national champion Penn State at no. 1. Minnesota checks in at no. 8 and Michigan at no. 15. In addition, Saint Louis, led by former Illini assistant Anne Kordes, is 17th. The Billikens play in the State Farm Illini Classic on Sept. 11-12.

Only the Pac 10 with six has more teams in the poll than the Big Ten. Washington is no. 4; Stanford no. 5; California no. 6; UCLA no. 10; USC no. 12; and Oregon no. 14. The Big 12 has three teams represented - Texas (2), Nebraska (3) and Iowa State (11).

The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) will release its preseason top 25 next week.

Volleyball Magazine Preseason Top 20
1. Penn State
2. Texas
3. Nebraska
4. Washington
5. Stanford
6. Cal
7. Hawaii
8. Minnesota
9. Florida
10. UCLA
11. Iowa State
12. USC
13. Illinois
14. Oregon
15. Michigan
16. San Diego
17. Wichita State
17. Saint Louis
19. Utah
20. Santa Clara

Others Receiving Votes: Purdue, Pepperdine, Cal Poly, Kansas State, Kentucky, Long Beach State, Wisconsin, Colorado State, Louisville, Texas A&M, Duke

For a complete preview, visit Volleyball Magazine