Complete Match Notes in PDF Format

Oct. 13, 2009

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Spike the Record at Illini Madness Friday
Illinois basketball coach Bruce Weber and volleyball coach Kevin Hambly are combining forces for what promises to be an historic event - "Spike the Record at Illini Madness." In conjunction with Illini Madness, signaling the start of 2009-10 basketball season, Illinois volleyball will be striving to break the NCAA attendance record for its match with Minnesota. At the same time, the basketball team is looking for its best attendance mark at Illini Madness. Both events will take place on Friday, Oct. 16 at Assembly Hall.

Both coaches have been extremely supportive of each other's programs through their times at Illinois. Each year Weber plays a visible role during the Illini's Annual "Stuff Huff" event, for example.

Illinois volleyball will be making its second appearance at Assembly Hall. The Illini and Gophers, both ranking in the top 10, will square off at 6:30 pm. Under the direction of former Olympic Assistant Coach Hambly, Illinois returns six starters from the 2008 NCAA Sweet 16 team, including second-team All-American Laura DeBruler. The Gophers, under former Illini and legendary coach Mike Hebert, join Illinois as potential contenders to dethrone two-time NCAA titlist Penn State as Big Ten champions.

Regular Season Attendance Records
13,412--Nebraska (3) vs. LSU (0), Bob Devaney Sports Center, Lincoln, Nebraska, September 12, 2008.
13,396--Nebraska (3) vs. Hawaii (0), Bob Devaney Sports Center, Lincoln, Nebraska, October 21, 2007.
13,081--Cal Poly (3) vs. Creighton (0) and Nebraska (3) vs. Penn St. (0), Qwest Center, Omaha, Nebraska, September 2, 2007.
13,081--Cal Poly (3) vs. Creighton (0) and Nebraska (3) vs. Penn St. (0), Qwest Center, Omaha, Nebraska, September 2, 2007.
12,112--Nebraska (3) vs. Creighton (1), Qwest Center, Omaha, Nebraska, September 24,2006.
11,529--Nebraska (3) vs. Colorado (0), Bob Devaney Sports Center, Lincoln, Nebraska, October 22, 1995.
11,076--Nebraska (3) vs. UCLA (1) and Tennessee (3) vs. Utah (2), Qwest Center, Omaha, Nebraska, August 25, 2007.
11,032--UCLA (3) vs. Nebraska (1), Bob Devaney Sports Center, Lincoln, Nebraska, September 14, 1991.

TV: Friday's match will be shown tape delayed on the Big Ten Network Sunday at 5 p.m. CDT with Randy Rhinehart (play-by-play) and Jim Stone (analysis) providing the call.

Radio: The match will be heard live on fightingillini.com and WDWS (AM 1400) with Dave Loane (play-by-play) and Mike Trame (analysis) providing the call.

Illinois hosts Dig Pink match Wednesday
When Illinois and Northwestern meet on the court Wednesday, the teams will be recognizing "Breast Cancer Awareness" in the Dig Pink match. Anyone wearing pink will be admitted free. Northwestern will be wearing pink jerseys while the Illini will be in white with pink trim. Libero Ashley Edinger will be in pink. The match starts at 7 p.m. at Huff Hall.
• This is the first of two Dig Pink matches for the Illini this season. When they meet Iowa on Nov. 3, the Illini will be in their pink jerseys for the Hawkeyes' Dig Pink match.

TV: The match will be show live on the Big Ten Network with Randy Rhinehart (play-by-play) and former Ohio State head coach Jim Stone (analysis) on the call.

Radio: The match can be heard live on the Big Ten Network with Dave Loane (play-by-play) and Mike Trame (analysis) on the call.

Illini move up to No. 10 this week
Illinois moved into the top 10 in the AVCA Coaches' poll for the second time this season. Previously, the Illini were No. 8 following winning the Bluejay Invitational. • Four Big Ten teams are the Top 11 -- Penn State (1), Minnesota (6), Illinois (10) and Michigan (11) • Two non-conference opponents find themselves in the Top 25 -- Florida State (17) and Saint Louis (20)

Bangert earns Big Ten accolade
Johannah Bangert was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after tying an 18-year-old school record with 13 block assists in Illinois' five-set win over Purdue on Friday. The total is the highest single-match blocks total in the Big Ten this season. The junior added six more stuffs the following day in a sweep over Indiana, giving her an average of 2.4 per set on the weekend. Bangert now paces the conference with 1.52 blocks per set.