Illinois 2022

[Pasquale]

Jan 11, 2022 7:31:10 GMT -5 nellynel said:

For some reason Illinois is always the team I root for in the B10. What do you think of the chances of UI getting into the top 3 of the B10 this year?

This should be a rebuilding year for a few top programs, but I expect Illinois will be among the top 3-5 teams in the B10. Ohio State or Nebraska should be favored to win the title (at least on paper), but a lot will depend on transfers, injuries and court leadership. Having Kuper back would certainly help.

[ilalum92]

So Breanna Edwards from Indiana is in the portal. Some specualtion is going to HI. Maybe Krista gets her to come to IL?

[vbkahuna]

Jan 11, 2022 14:34:02 GMT -5 taxidea said:

I’m a Badger man. But I’m rooting for the ‘22 Illini. Team is on the rise…good for women’s VB and good for the B1G!

This isn't just a gracious comment from a competing team's fan, it's wisdom..."a rising tide lifts all boats."

The very competitive nature of the B1G continues to elevate the quality of more and more players and coaches in the league. And in doing so, the ensuing intense conference matches are making those teams that get selected for the playoffs highly prepared and battle-hardened. The fact that 6 of the 8 that made it into the last playoffs made it to the Sweet 16, and that 2 of them made the Final is clear evidence of the benefit of being in such a competitive conference, even for those that don't win the league title. 

Good luck to all the B1G teams for the coming season, regardless of where they end up. 

[exit237a]

Jan 11, 2022 14:20:03 GMT -5 flipley said:

Taylor Kuper is listed on the 2022 roster page:
fightingillini.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster

Hopefully that indicates her return is still a possibility!  The one difference between her 2022 roster website entry and her teammates' is that hers still says "senior", while everyone else's has been updated.  Had hers said "graduate student" I'd be even more optimistic about the possibility.  Patiently waiting for an announcement one way or the other...

[exit237a]

Jan 11, 2022 14:40:02 GMT -5 Pasquale said:

Jan 11, 2022 7:31:10 GMT -5 nellynel said:

For some reason Illinois is always the team I root for in the B10. What do you think of the chances of UI getting into the top 3 of the B10 this year?

This should be a rebuilding year for a few top programs, but I expect Illinois will be among the top 3-5 teams in the B10. Ohio State or Nebraska should be favored to win the title (at least on paper), but a lot will depend on transfers, injuries and court leadership. Having Kuper back would certainly help.

Yeah, I was going to say Ohio State and Nebraska, too.

[volleyaudience]

Jan 11, 2022 7:31:10 GMT -5 nellynel said:

For some reason Illinois is always the team I root for in the B10. What do you think of the chances of UI getting into the top 3 of the B10 this year?

I do hope Illinois has a great year. If they do, it's good for the  Big Ten.

It's possible they could get in the top three, but everyone is trying to get better. They finished top half. I hope they stay ahead of Michigan and Maryland. Moving up four spots IMO  might be a tall but tantalizing order.

[oldmanvb]

Transfer portal 2022 lists some of the players in the transfer portal by conference. Amazing how much talent is on those lists. I don't think we will know who will finish where until those lists shake themselves out. There is a lot of help for the right team with a good foundation and a couple of available scholarships.

[ilalum92]

Jan 11, 2022 18:30:30 GMT -5 oldmanvb said:

Transfer portal 2022 lists some of the players in the transfer portal by conference. Amazing how much talent is on those lists. I don't think we will know who will finish where until those lists shake themselves out. There is a lot of help for the right team with a good foundation and a couple of available scholarships.

Several good players left who would be a big help to the ILLINI.

[exit237a]

Jan 11, 2022 18:30:30 GMT -5 oldmanvb said:

Transfer portal 2022 lists some of the players in the transfer portal by conference. Amazing how much talent is on those lists. I don't think we will know who will finish where until those lists shake themselves out. There is a lot of help for the right team with a good foundation and a couple of available scholarships.

Wish we had a clearer picture of the existing scholarship commitments for the 2022 Illini to inform our portal imagination.  Think we might need someone on the inside to help us on that front.

[oldmanvb]

New roster lists Ellie Holzman as a redshirt junior. She still has 4 years of eligibility, although I can’t imagine she would want to stay that long. On the other hand, my son might have stretched his university stay to 6 years if given the financial resources.

[Pasquale]

Not sure about the timeline, but it’s possible they’ve applied for a redshirt year for 2021 and yet haven’t heard heard anything.

[ilalum92]

Jan 11, 2022 19:41:30 GMT -5 oldmanvb said:

New roster lists Ellie Holzman as a redshirt junior. She still has 4 years of eligibility, although I can’t imagine she would want to stay that long. On the other hand, my son might have stretched his university stay to 6 years if given the financial resources.

She red shirted Frosh, Soph Covid Year , Jr year / she would need to apply for a medical redshirt , so she is a senior academically?? She might only play next year. Plus who knows about scholarships & how that works with possibly 2 red shirt years.

[oldmanvb]

A player has 5 years to play 4. I don't think Holzman needs to "apply" for a medical redshirt until after her 4th year. Given the challenges she has faced, she probably doesn't want to think about playing a second year until after she has played her first year. Her spirits have been good, every time one looked at the bench she was leading the cheers.

[Friday]

I don't think she is coming back.

[Pasquale]

Based on what?