Big Ten still soaring high in volleyball
While Big Ten football may not be as nationally relevant as it has been, volleyball is picking up the slack.
Once again, Big Ten teams are in the thick of the national conversation.
Last year, seven Big Ten teams were ranked in the final poll. This season, six Big Ten teams are currently in the Top 25, which the Pac-12, with seven ranked teams.
Penn State is the top-ranked team in the Big Ten at No. 3 while Wisconsin, which faces No. 16 Illinois today, checks in at No. 6. Nebraska (8), Purdue (15) and Minnesota (18) are ranked in the Top 25, with Northwestern receiving votes.
Illinois has been hot, registering four straight 3-0 sweeps. The latest was Wednesday against Minnesota.
“That felt like a Big Ten match,” Illinois coach Kevin Hambly said after the Minnesota win. “It was like two heavyweights just pounding each other. It was a lot of fun.”
Hambly couldn't ask for much more from his 11-3 Illini. At 3-0 in the Big Ten, they lead the league in kills and assists per set and rank second in hitting percentage, third in opponent hitting percentage, fourth in digs, and fifth in blocks.
Former Lyons star Jocelynn Birks of Willow Springs was named Big Ten player of the week on Monday. She ranks second in the league in kills (3.98/set). Setter Alexis Viliunas is also from Lyons.
“When we have balance offensively, we're really tough to stop,” Hambly said. “We've put up some numbers that we haven't put up in my time. We've been defensive-oriented (in the past). We've had to grind it out.
“Now, I feel like we can do both. Maybe this will be one of my best defensive teams, but for sure this is my best offensive team. You don't always get that.
“This gives us a shot to compete against everyone.”
Huff hype:
One of the most exciting places to watch a college volleyball game is at Huff Hall at the University of Illinois.
And during today's match against visiting Wisconsin, the Illini want to prove they have the loudest fans. They've dubbed this game IlliNOISE and will take a decibel reading at the game to apply for a world record.
“When it's rocking, it's got to be the loudest place in the country,” Hambly said of Huff.
Illinois, which has won 10 of its last 11 matches vs. Wisconsin, is one of the top draws among volleyball teams. The Illini rank eighth in the nation with 2,969 fans per game.
Nebraska leads the country in attendance with 8,361 fans per game. Wisconsin is third (4,303) and Penn State is sixth (3,018). Minnesota (2,956) and Purdue (2,778) are ninth and 10th, respectively.
Catch that?
Former Stevenson star and Indiana Fever forward Tamika Catchings confirmed on Friday that she will be retiring from basketball in 2016.
The perennial WNBA all-star has played 14 seasons star. She has been Defensive Player of the Year an unprecedented five times. Injuries have taken a toll, and Catchings missed much of the 2014 season with back trouble.
“Although I plan to step away as a player, that is not to say I'll step away from the game,” said Catchings, who has alluded that she would like to be involved in team ownership in the WNBA. “I am so thankful and blessed to have had the opportunity to play the game I have loved for so long. God has truly blessed me with an amazing playing career, and now it's time to start transitioning to what He has for me beyond the lines of the basketball floor.”
Catchings, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, previously said she would like one last run in the Olympics, which will be in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
• Follow Patricia on Twitter @babcockmcgraw.