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Post by notpriddy (COIF) on Mar 25, 2014 6:41:15 GMT -5
I was able to watch the entire practice. Actually saved it. Illinois - like most teams in March, have plenty of work to do, but are ahead of most teams. They did only graduate one or two players. If you have a video, can you, would you share...pretty please....?
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Post by notpriddy (COIF) on Mar 27, 2014 12:52:54 GMT -5
Article yesterday in the local Champaign newspaper by Jeff Huth:
CHAMPAIGN — Kevin Hambly is getting his wish.
No, not the new floor currently being installed at Huff Hall — home base of his University of Illinois volleyball program.
“I never thought the Huff floor was all that bad,” the Illini head coach said this week.
Instead, Hambly is delighted that a $1.2 million renovation project — including a $750,000 floor — indicates a commitment by the UI to keep his volleyball program in the historic 89-year-old building. Like others, Hambly has heard the speculation that the athletic department might eventually build an all-purpose Olympic sports facility that would house multiple Illini teams.
“Hopefully, it means we’re staying in Huff for a long time,” said Hambly, who later this year will begin his sixth season as Illinois’ head coach and his 11th on the staff. “The idea of an Olympic sports facility would be great, but I was always reluctant to leave Huff because it’s such a unique place, so I’m thrilled we’re staying in there.”
The Huff Hall project also includes new bleachers on both sidelines as well as new permanent bleachers on the south end — where the UI band plays — to replace the portable bleachers previously positioned in that area for matches.
“It’s U-shaped, kind of,” Hambly said of the new seating configuration.
There are no plans at this time, he said, for bleachers on the north end. That area traditionally has been reserved for disabled fans sitting at floor level.
Illini fans undoubtedly will be glad to know that Huff also is included in a current university project to update and/or add restrooms throughout the campus. When completed, Huff will offer six renovated restrooms — three for each gender.
The Huff Hall project began March 10, two days after the final home meet for the Illini men’s and women’s gymnastics teams.
Workers removed the entire existing floor to make way for a new one of the same dimensions. The replacement court, however, will feel noticeably different to his players, Hambly said.
The previous wood floor was designed for basketball, with a level of hardness required for dribbling a ball. The new court — also made of wood — is volleyball-specific and offers far more shock absorption than its predecessor. That’s good news for volleyball players who repeatedly are jumping and landing while playing their sport. Hambly said the new surface offers “over 300 percent more give” or cushion than the old floor.
“It will be easier on our joints,” the Illini coach said. “(A player) can get up to 600 jumps in practice — that’s the most I’ve ever counted in a practice — and that’s a lot of wear and tear on the body, and having this (floor) is going to help us with injuries.”
The appearance of the floor, Hambly said, will reflect a distinct rebranding that Nike and the UI are collaborating on for Illini athletic teams.
The project will not affect Huff Hall’s availability for graduation ceremonies in May, according to UI assistant athletic director Kathy Hug. A tarp will protect the new floor during the ceremonies, she said.
Work on the bleachers is scheduled to start July 7, Hug said, and be completed by July 31.
The price tag for that part of the project is $450,000.
During the project, the Illini are conducting spring practices at the Ubben Basketball Complex. Illinois typically hosts at least one match during its annual spring schedule, and this year will be no different.
When Kentucky visits April 19, the Illini will revisit their past by playing the match at Kenney Gym in Urbana. That’s where Illinois — which started a varsity volleyball program in 1974 — held most of its home matches prior to moving to Huff in 1990.
“Our booster club’s excited,” Hambly said. “They love having events in there.”
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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2014 13:27:19 GMT -5
I'm sure Kentucky is excited about playing at Kenney in Urbana.
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Post by originalsin on Mar 27, 2014 16:22:27 GMT -5
Because as she said, it's about the academics and being more well rounded.
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Post by notpriddy (COIF) on Apr 3, 2014 9:21:48 GMT -5
On April 1st, Richkern.com listed Kaylin Korte as a verballed 2016 recruit for the Illini. I thought by now I would have heard/found something locally about Kaylin's verbal, or does this have something to do with the fact that it was posted on Rich Kern APRIL FIRST?
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Post by vbfanantic on Apr 3, 2014 9:27:39 GMT -5
Since we cannot see the video, what changes did they make to speed up the offense? Switch setters? Or just have Villiunas set a quicker pace?
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Post by jma22 on Apr 3, 2014 15:59:37 GMT -5
On April 1st, Richkern.com listed Kaylin Korte as a verballed 2016 recruit for the Illini. I thought by now I would have heard/found something locally about Kaylin's verbal, or does this have something to do with the fact that it was posted on Rich Kern APRIL FIRST? Looks like it's legit. What should we expect from her?
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Post by vbthat on Apr 3, 2014 16:50:01 GMT -5
On April 1st, Richkern.com listed Kaylin Korte as a verballed 2016 recruit for the Illini. I thought by now I would have heard/found something locally about Kaylin's verbal, or does this have something to do with the fact that it was posted on Rich Kern APRIL FIRST? Confirmed on UNO's website. www.unovbc.com/index.php/recruiting/79-girls/465-uno-16elite-roster-2014
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Post by notpriddy (COIF) on Apr 10, 2014 5:48:17 GMT -5
Due to another commitment, I was unable to go to Indy. It sounds like both Illini squads did quite well. I have no idea how Palmer was used by the coaches. I will have to wait until the 19th (when Kentucky visits Kenney Gym on campus) to check out the squad.
And, I still have not heard anything about 2016 recruit, Kaylin Korte, in any of the local sports news outlets. Usually, there is a mention of a volleyball recruit somewhere.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2014 14:03:25 GMT -5
My sources indicate Illinois is prepping for a very big year. After somewhat disappointing seasons, back-to-back, Hambly needs to put it together this fall. I look for Illni in top 4 of B1G.
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Post by volleyhead on Apr 12, 2014 21:31:06 GMT -5
Anyone know how Illinois did today in KC. They split their team at tourney at Blue Valley West high school. Anybody go that might be able to post results and some thoughts. It looked like a pretty good tourney with K-State, KU, Wichita State in it.
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Post by umyeahaboutthat on Apr 12, 2014 21:43:30 GMT -5
One squad didn't drop a set. The other squad only dropped a few sets but not sure to who.
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Post by notpriddy (COIF) on Apr 13, 2014 4:55:56 GMT -5
Anyone know how Illinois did today in KC. They split their team at tourney at Blue Valley West high school. Anybody go that might be able to post results and some thoughts. It looked like a pretty good tourney with K-State, KU, Wichita State in it. Tournament participants included Kansas State, Drake, Illinois, Kansas, Kansas City, Saint Louis, and Wichita State. Wichita State and Illinois will have two split squads to help make up the field of nine teams. *********************************************************************************************************************************************************************** STILWELL, Kan. – The K-State volleyball team finished with a 3-0-1 record in its spring tournament held at Blue Valley West High School on Saturday. The Wildcats defeated Wichita State (25-17, 25-21), Illinois (25-23, 25-19) and Saint Louis (29-27, 25-13) while they split their final match of the day against Kansas City (29-27, 19-25). All matches consisted of two sets played to 25. “We have spent a majority of the spring developing our offensive rhythm in an effort to play more up tempo,” said K-State head coach Suzie Fritz. “We are doing some nice things from that perspective, but are still striving for greater consistency, particularly in first contact. “We were as productive in first swing offense as we have been in some time, hitting nearly .400 against good competition. Our middle blockers are getting more involved and our young players are developing quickly. We can be competitive with anyone if we can maintain that kind of balance and productivity on offense.” *********************************************************************************************************************************************************************** Searching for Wichita State's weekend results, I was 'shocked' to discover that WSU plays their home vb matches in Charles Koch Arena. Being a dyed-in-the-wool Democrat, I would hate to be a WSU fan and have to watch vb in an arena bankrolled by the Koch Brothers. ********************************************************************************************************************************************************************* That is the extent of my success searching for scores online.
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Post by notpriddy (COIF) on Apr 14, 2014 18:06:12 GMT -5
Illinois' split squad A and B results in Kansas City Saturday April 12th:
Illinois (A) vs Wichita State (A) 25-18, 30-32 Illinois (A) vs K-State 23-25, 19-25 Illinois (A) vs Drake 25-18, 25-15 Illinois (A) vs Wichita State (B) 25-15, 25-16 5-3
Illinois (B) vs Kansas 25-19, 25-16 Illinois (B) vs Saint Louis 25-12, 25-16 Illinois (B) vs Wichita State (A) 25-23, 25-22 Illinois (B) vs Kansas 25-15, 28-26 8-0
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Post by vbfanantic on Apr 14, 2014 19:00:48 GMT -5
Do you know the rosters for the two teams? Did you get the sense that one was the top line up and the other the reserves?
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