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Post by vbjustice on Mar 3, 2020 18:39:53 GMT -5
Looking forward to seeing Kennedy potentially in a elevated role this season! Have to imagine there's a lot of competition in the gym between Rylee, Kyla, Maddie, and her at middle this offseason. Can't wait for those spring games to get a glimpse at those lineups. Same. Yes she’s great!
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Post by oldmanvb on Mar 3, 2020 19:27:20 GMT -5
A typical NHL hockey rink dimesion is 200’ x 85’. Volleyball courts are 30’ x 60’. That means each sideline would be almost 30’ from seating and each baseline 70’ from the seating. In all likelihood seats would be behind the boards. I suppose folding chairs could be placed on the floor, but that would create sightline problems for people sitting in the first few rows of bleachers. The intimacy of Huff that we treasure would be completely lost. Most indoor arenas that share the court with a hockey rink have condensation problems. Practice time would also be an issue, changing the arena from a sheet of ice to a volleyball is not a simple proposition. Do the plans include a separate practice facility for volleyball, wrestling and gymnastics?
I personally believe that Huff needs to be replaced in order to keep volleyball competitive. Seats are great in the lower bowl, but the number of restricted view seats limits attendance. It is a testament to the loyalty of Illini volleyball fans that those restricted view seats are frequently occupied. I think attendance would average over 4000 per match if a modern arena, reasonably accessible to the campus and with Huff-like proximity to the court was built. Recruiting would also benefit with modern locker room, training and weight room facilities.
I suspect that the mixed use arena ship has sailed, to the detriment of the volleyball program. Too bad.
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Post by illinifan818 on Mar 4, 2020 10:55:05 GMT -5
Huff Hall will never be replaced with the primary reason being athletics. Huff belongs to the University so the athletic department cannot decide to just replace it because they want to. As such, this is why Whitman is using the addition of a men's hockey team and new venue to help the other sports mentioned. And I can't find them right now, but there's been renderings of what the facility would look like for volleyball. Whitman is a smart man, he isn't dumb to the fact that the volleyball community would be in outrage if he completely ignored the sport. Additional floor seating would be added to make up for the size difference between an ice rink and a vball court.
And in articles it's been quoted that there would be additional space for practice. The whole project includes 3 ice rinks. One practice, one for public and one in the competition part where the other sports would play as well. I assume gymnastics might continue to practice in Kenny gym where they practice now and Wrestling would probably continue to practice in Huff in their practice room. It's been known that Illini Athletics needs to get out of Huff. While the environment was fantastic, I heard rumblings that the NCAA was not happy with the situation at Huff during the 2018 Final Four run. Whitman is trying to move Illinois Athletics forward and stay competitive, don't be so against trying to be progressive and move forward.
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Post by exit237a on Mar 4, 2020 14:14:53 GMT -5
Happy birthday, Mica!
Illinois kicking it up a notch with the video birthday tribute!
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Post by Friday on Mar 4, 2020 15:44:22 GMT -5
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Post by exit237a on Mar 4, 2020 16:49:38 GMT -5
Thanks for the good news, squirrel! Can't wait!
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Post by exit237a on Mar 5, 2020 12:01:11 GMT -5
On Saturday, March 28, the Illini travel to Nashville to play Lipscomb in their first spring game in the battle of the Kupers! Taylor's sister, Megan, is a senior OH for Lipscomb and this will be a rematch for them from the 2018 regular season game, which the Illini swept. Just an added item of interest for this spring match! Anyone planning to make the trip down there?
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Post by exit237a on Mar 5, 2020 16:11:20 GMT -5
Happy birthday, Megan!
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Post by ilalum92 on Mar 5, 2020 16:16:42 GMT -5
Does anyone have any insight into how spring practices are going? How does everyone look? everyone healthy?
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Post by ilalum92 on Mar 11, 2020 12:44:41 GMT -5
Just saw a post by the Networkers that Coach Jen's dad passed away. Lets all send some good thoughts their way as they deal with the loss of a cherished loved one.
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Post by exit237a on Mar 12, 2020 15:56:45 GMT -5
A quick video of our new coach, Eli Sharping, with some practice footage, too!
Welcome to the Illini family, Eli!
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Post by exit237a on Mar 12, 2020 17:26:33 GMT -5
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Post by ilalum92 on Mar 13, 2020 12:52:25 GMT -5
Katie Myers is in the portal.. We could use a MB with some experience
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Post by exit237a on Mar 13, 2020 13:11:26 GMT -5
Katie Myers is in the portal.. We could use a MB with some experience Katie's a strong server, too- another need with Ashlyn graduating!
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Post by oldmanvb on Mar 13, 2020 19:04:53 GMT -5
Would she have to sit out a year in order to play at another BIG school? She has two years of eligibility left. She has been at Maryland for four years (two redshirt years due to injury) and may graduate this year, which would make the BIG transfer restriction moot.
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