The Illini Volleyball Team is looking to set an NCAA record for attendance at their game vs. Minnesota on Friday. The game will be held in Assembly Hall in conjunction with this year’s Illini Madness. Illini Madness marks the start of the 2009-2010 basketball season and will also take place on Friday at Assembly Hall.

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.” 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.

Current Regular Season Attendance Record:
13,412–Nebraska (3) vs. LSU (0), Bob Devaney Sports Center, Lincoln, Nebraska, September 12, 2008.

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.

Tickets for the event are free, and doors open at 5:30pm. Admission will be denied once the building is full. The volleyball game will begin at 6:30pm.  

Go Illini!

Head to Huff Hall tonight to watch the Woman’s Volleyball Team battle Cincinnati. Tonight is a special event with FREE BBQ to the first 1,000 students starting at 5:30pm outside the hall. There will also be a special appearance by Bruce Weber and the Men’s Basketball Team.

This is the Illini’s first home match of the season, so come out and support the team. The game starts at 7pm.

Stuff Huff, wear orange, and Go Illini! 

No. 14 Illini host ‘Stuff Huff’ Friday – FightingIllini.com

Former Illinois volleyball coach, Don Hardin, retired at the conclusion of the season after 11 years. Yesterday, it was announced that Hardin’s assistant, Kevin Hambly has been named the new head coach.

“It’s a great honor to be head coach of a program with such a rich history and tradition,” Hambly said. “It is exciting to follow in the footsteps of what Don and those before him have done to not only establish a legacy of winning, but also one whose players excel academically and in life. I am thankful to both Ron Guenther and Vince Ille for having the confidence in me to continue that tradition and strive to compete for Big Ten and national championships. As alumni of Illinois, Mary and I have a special place in our hearts for this university and feel the tremendous support this community has for the volleyball program. Having been around the program for five years, I believe we have a group of student-athletes who are as good of people as they are players and along with the staff and administration, they will strive to achieve the vision that has been established for Illinois volleyball.”

Good luck to the volleyball team and Go Illini!

Illinois names Kevin Hambly head volleyball coach

If you are staying on campus over the holiday weekend, and are looking for something to do Friday night…check out Stuff Huff 2008! This year’s event will feature a BBQ with the men’s basketball team. Free food for the first 1,000 students. There will also be autograph signing during the BBQ from 5:30-6:45 PM. Coach Weber will be speaking between games 2 and 3.

If you still have no idea what is going on, this is a volleyball game at Huff Hall. The Illini will be facing North Carolina in the first sporting event of the year. Wear orange. Cheer for Illinois.

UI STUDENTS FREE

Go Illini!