2014 ILLINOIS VOLLEYBALLTHE FIGHTING ILLINI TABLE OF CONTENTS UNIVERSITY INFORMATION Nickname: ...... Fighting . Illini MEET THE FIGHTING ILLINI RECORD BOOK Founded: ...... 1867 Head Coach Kevin Hambly...... 4-6 Year-By-Year Illini History...... 66-74 Colors: ...... Orange and Blue Assistant Coach Hillary Haen...... 7 All-Time Results...... 75-85 Conference: ...... Big Ten Assistant Coach Scott Leserman...... 7 Opponent Series Results...... 86-91 Division: ...... NCAA Division I Director of Operations Johannah Bangert . . . . . 8 Opponent Series Records...... 92 Volunteer Assistant Coach Chad Gordon...... 8 TV Appearances...... 93 Home Court: ...... Huff Hall (4,536) Athletic Trainer Randy Ballard...... 9 Illini vs . Ranked Opponents...... 94-95 President: ...... Robert Easter Support Staff...... 9 Illinois in the AVCA Rankings...... 95 Chancellor: ...... Phyllis Wise Director of Athletics Mike Thomas...... 10-11 Career Records...... 96 Enrollment: ...... 44,942 Jocelynn Birks ...... 12-13 Season Records...... 97 Athletic Director: ...... Mike Thomas Julia Conard...... 14-15 Single-Match Records...... 98-99 Senior Women’s Administrator: ...... Maria Ochoa Woods Morganne Criswell...... 16-17 Team Records ...... 100 Danielle Davis...... 18-19 Miscellaneous Records...... 101 Ticket Office Phone: ...... 217-333-3470 Anna Dorn ...... 20-21 Annual Stat Leaders...... 102-103 McKenna Kelsay...... 22-23 Huff Hall ...... 104-105 HISTORY Maddie Mayers...... 24-25 Huff Hall Records...... 106 First Year: ...... 1974 Liz McMahon ...... 26-27 Illini Classic...... 107 Overall Record: ...... 870-508-7 Allison Palmer...... 28 Illinois in the NCAA Tournament ...... 108 Years in NCAA Tournament (Record): ...... 21 . (34-21) Kathryn Polkhoff...... 29 Illinois Postseason Records...... 109 Katie Roustio...... 30-31 All-Time NCAA and Big Ten Champions. . . . . 110 Katie Stadick...... 32-33 Illinois’ Big Ten Championships ...... 111 SPORTS INFORMATION Ali Stark...... 34-35 Letterwinners...... 112-113 Volleyball SID:...... Marla Glasser Michelle Strizak...... 36-37 Illini By Number...... 114 Email...... mglasser@illinois .edu Alexis Viliunas...... 38-39 2014 Big Ten Composite Schedule...... 115 Office Phone ...... 217-333-3592 Matti Bielfeldt...... 40 All-America Profiles...... 116-123 Cell Phone...... 610-291-6657 Brandi Donnelly...... 41 Honor Roll ...... 124-127 Assistant Volleyball SID:...... Jessica Leifheit Indiv . Career Match-By-Match Stats...... 42-46 Annual Team Finishes...... 128 Email...... jessleif@illinois .edu 2013 SEASON IN REVIEW TEAM INFORMATION Office Phone ...... TBD Season-Ending Notes...... 48-49 Roster ...... Inside Front Cover Office Fax:...... 217-333-5540 Season Stats and Results...... 50 Radio/TV Roster...... Inside Back Cover Web Address: ...... www .fightingillini com. Team/Opponent Match-by-Match Stats...... 51 2014 Schedule...... Back Cover Facebook ...... www .facebook com/IlliniVolleyball. The Big Ten in 2013...... 52-53 Twitter/Instagram: ...... @IlliniVBall Match Highs...... 54 Mailing Address: Match-by-Match Box Scores...... 55-63 Bielfeldt Administration Building 1700 South Fourth Street Champaign, IL 61820

TEAM INFORMATION 2013 Record: ...... 18-15 Big Ten Record: ...... 12-8/T-4th Postseason: ...... T-9th (Regional Semifinals) Starters Returning/Lost: ...... 6/libero Letterwinners Returning/Lost: ...... 14/2 Newcomers (Freshmen/Transfers):...... 2/1

VOLLEYBALL COACHING STAFF Head Coach: ...... Kevin Hambly (Illinois ‘06) Record as Illinois Head Coach: ...... 114-51 (5 years) Career Head Coaching Record: ...... 114-51 (5 years) Assistant Coaches: ...... Hillary Haen (Illinois ‘11) ...... Scott Leserman (Vassar ‘09) Volunteer Assistant: ...... Chad Gordon (UCSB ‘14) Director of Operations:. . . . Johannah Bangert (Illinois ‘11) ­Athletic Trainer ...... Randy Ballard The 2014 Illinois Volleyball Record Book was written by Marla Glasser . Cover design by Will Wyss . Photos by Mark Volleyball Office Phone: ...... 217-333-8607 Cowan, Cary Frye and Craig Pessman . Volleyball Office Fax: ...... 217-333-4853

21 NCAA BIDS // 14 SWEET 16s // 3 FINAL FOURS ­// 1 THE FIGHTING ILLINI

H a i l t o t h e O r a n g e // H a i l t o t h e B l u e THE FIGHTING ILLINI

HEAD COACH KEVIN HAMBLY...... 4-6 MCKENNA KELSAY ...... 22-23. ASSISTANT COACH HILLARY HAEN...... 7 MADDIE MAYERS...... 24-25. ASSISTANT COACH SCOTT LESERMAN ...... 7 LIZ MCMAHON...... 26-27. DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS JOHANNAH BANGERT. . . 8 ALLISON PALMER...... 28 VOLUNTEER ASSISTANT COACH CHAD GORDON. . . . 8 KATHRYN POLKHOFF ...... 29 ATHLETIC TRAINER RANDY BALLARD...... 9 KATIE ROUSTIO ...... 30-31. SUPPORT STAFF...... 9 KATIE STADICK...... 32-33 DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS MIKE THOMAS. . . . 10-11. ALI STARK ...... 34-35. JOCELYNN BIRKS...... 12-13. MICHELLE STRIZAK ...... 36-37. JULIA CONARD...... 14-15. ALEXIS VILIUNAS...... 38-39. MORGANNE CRISWELL...... 16-17 MATTI BIELFELDT...... 40 DANIELLE DAVIS...... 18-19 BRANDI DONNELLY...... 41 ANNA DORN...... 20-21. INDIV . CAREER MATCH-BY-MATCH STATS. . . . 42-46. THE COACHING STAFF KEVIN HAMBLY HEAD COACH SIXTH SEASON AS HEAD COACH 11TH SEASON OVERALL AT ILLINOIS

Kevin Hambly has taken Illinois volleyball to new team in the country to face all four teams that reached heights in his tenure in Champaign . In his five years the Final Four, and took on eight of the 10 teams that as head coach, Illinois is 114-51 with four trips to the finished the year ranked in the AVCA Top 10 . Despite NCAA Sweet 16, including 2011’s historic run to the the monstrous slate, Hambly led the Orange and Blue national championship match . to a fourth-place finish in the Big Ten in a year in which the conference was arguably the best it had ever As a result, Hambly was named 2011 Volleyball been and by far the strongest conference in the nation . Magazine’s National Coach of the Year . Following the After a rough non-conference slate, the Illini entered Kevin Hambly serves as the President of the season, director of athletics Mike Thomas announced Big Ten play sitting at 4-6 on the year . A tremendous American Volleyball Coaches Association. an extension of Hambly’s contract through the 2016 second-half push in which the Orange and Blue won season . seven of their final nine matches punched their ticket Illini defeated No . 1 USC in the National Semifinal San In 2013, Hambly guided the Fighting Illini through the to the NCAA Tournament, earning the No . 13 overall Antonio in an epic five-set match . The final point lasted most difficult schedule in the nation, in which the Illini seed . The Illini defeated Morehead State and No . 22 more than a minute and was one of the top plays on captured 10 wins during a school-record 22 matches Marquette to return to the Sweet 16 for the fourth time ESPN’s SportsCenter that night . With the victory over against ranked opponents . The Illini were the only in five years under Hambly, where No . 19 Purdue finally the Women of Troy, the Illini advanced to meet UCLA in ended Illinois’ run . the school’s first ever national championship match . FUN FACTS ON KEVIN HAMBLY Three Illini earned postseason honors under Hambly in Following the championship run, Hambly was How I started playing volleyball: My mom bribed me to 2013, as sophomore Jocelynn Birks was named Third- elected president of the American Volleyball Coaches try out for my school team with a Georgetown Hoya hat . Team AVCA All-America, First-Team All-Northeast Association, a post he took over in January 2013 and COACHES Region and was a unanimous All-Big Ten selection . which runs through December 2015 . Best moments on the volleyball court: Every day of practice at BYU Senior Jennifer Beltran, who became Illinois’ all-time career digs leader early in the season and finished Illinois went 26-6 in his first year as head coach, Playing with Best moments on the basketball court: ranked second all-time in the Big Ten, captured All- finishing in sole possession of second place in the Big the men at Venice Beach in high school . America honorable mention and All-Region honors, Ten and reaching the Sweet 16 . Top players competed against in basketball: Jacque while junior Liz McMahon claimed All-Region and All- Vaughn & Tyus Edney His second year as a head coach brought victories Big Ten honorable mentions . over a pair of No . 2-ranked teams, including eventual Activities you enjoy outside of volleyball: Cooking, national champion Penn State, who fell to the Illini in reading, and playing any kind of game In a “tough act to follow” situation, a young 2012 team faced several challenges . With two rookies and five sets in front of the first sellout at Huff Hall in 18 Life’s simple pleasure you enjoy: Breakfast with my years . kids a sophomore replacing a pair of All-American outside hitters, Hambly’s team had a lot to learn in seemingly What’s on your iPod? Shins, Wilco, Avett Brothers, Iron Since his arrival in Champaign, the Illini have garnered no time at all, facing the third-most difficult schedule and Wine three top-10 recruiting classes, including the 2011 in the nation . The Illini swept No . 15 Iowa State in the Class that ranked No . 3 nationally . The 2011 team Quote I live by: Know yourself 2012 home opener, then closed out the pre-conference included 11 players who were top-60 prospects of their Mentors in coaching: Don Hardin, Toshi Yoshida, Carl season with a sweep of the Time Warner Cable respective class, including Liz McMahon, who was No . McGown and Shelton Collier Texas Invitational, which included a road victory over 3; Anna Dorn, who was No . 6; Colleen Ward, who was How many countries have you visited? Last time I eventual NCAA champion No . 6 Texas . Other season No . 7; and Michelle Bartsch, who was No . 16 . counted, 33 highlights included a come-from-behind 3-2 victory Which is your favorite? My favorite city is Paris; most at Michigan State, in true-freshman setter Alexis His teams have gone head-to-head with some of the beautiful is Montreux, Switzerland; best experience Viliunas’ first career start, and a 3-1 victory over future powers of the game, both in the Big Ten and in the Cusco, Peru . NCAA semifinalist Michigan on Senior Night . non-conference, and have done so with a measure What I take away from life with the U S. . Olympic of success . The Illini are 37-13 in the pre-conference In 2011, Illinois reached several milestones . The schedule in the five years with Hambly as head coach Team: That no one knows how hard those athletes work team swept a season series from four-time defending and how dedicated they are until you see it every day . and have finished runner-up in the Big Ten Conference NCAA champion Penn State for the first time in school three times . Memorable moments from being a dad: The births of history . Illinois was the last team to lose its first both my daughters are memorable . The first (Quinn), match, starting the season 20-0 and resulting in the A total of seven players have earned 11 All-America I was light-headed and an absolute mess and the school’s first-ever No . 1 ranking . A total of six schools honors, including outside hitter Laura DeBruler, who second (Maura), I was able to enjoy a lot more and just held the No . 1 ranking, but none for longer than Illinois . became the fourth First-Team AVCA All-American in realize what a miracle it is . The Illini won the Gainesville Regional to advance to 2009, and Ward, who accomplished that feat in 2011 . Meal I most look forward to: “Donut morning” with the program’s first National Semifinal since 1988 The In addition, Bartsch was named a First Team All- my girls American by Volleyball Magazine .

4 // 2014 ILLINOIS VOLLEYBALL THE COACHING STAFF

The Illini have produced in the classroom, combining for 43 Academic All-Big Ten honors THE KEVIN HAMBLY FILE in the last five seasons, with Johannah Bangert being one of just six players to earn First Date of Birth: March 12, 1973 Team Academic All-America in 2010 . In 2012, the Illini led the conference with 10 All-Big Ten Hometown: Simi Valley, Calif . selections . Education: Brigham Young University: 1992-95 B S. ,. Recreation, Sport & Tourism, University of Illinois, 2006 The interest in the volleyball program is at a height that hasn’t been seen in a generation . Family: Wife, Mary; Daughters, Quinn and Maura Hambly is involved in the community, a regular requested speaker for area groups . He conducts Chalk Talks for the Illinois volleyball booster club, “The Networkers,” before every home game, HEAD COACHING EXPERIENCE giving fans an inside look at the scouting report for that night’s match . Membership in that organization continues to grow . 2013 Illinois 18-15 Fourth, Big Ten; NCAA Sweet 16 2012 Illinois 14-16 Eighth, Big Ten That has translated in a spike in attendance where the team had three crowds of 3,900 or more 2011 Illinois 32-5 Second, Big Ten; NCAA Runner-up in 2011, including a sellout crowd of 4,261 in an undefeated showdown with Purdue . The 2012 2010 Illinois 24-9 Second, Big Ten; NCAA Sweet 16 season featured five crowds of 3,000 or more, including the largest opening night crowd in Illini 2009 Illinois 26-6 Second, Big Ten; NCAA Sweet 16 history, when 3,770 fans “Stuffed” Huff for the home opener against No . 15 Iowa State and the Overall Record 114-51 ( 691). 2011 NCAA banner-raising ceremony . Illinois had an additional five 3,000+ crowds in 2013, including a mark of 7,061 against Iowa at State Farm Center, the largest volleyball-only crowd COACHING HONORS in program history . The fan base in 2013 set a new all-time record for average attendance, with a mean crowd size of 3,117 . 2011 Volleyball Magazine National Coach of the Year Twelve of the top 20 all-time Illinois crowds have come in the Hambly era, including four of the OTHER COACHING EXPERIENCE top five . 2006-08 Assistant Coach, University of Illinois Hambly was named the seventh head coach in the program’s history and just the third in the last Reached 2008 NCAA Sweet 16 quarter century on Jan . 8, 2008 . He replaced Don Hardin, who retired after 13 years as program 2004-05 Volunteer Assistant Coach, University of Ilinois head at Illinois . Hambly, who had a number of years of international coaching experience, served 2001-04 Assistant Coach, USA Volleyball as assistant coach for the Fighting Illini for five years prior, the first two years as a volunteer 2001 NORCECA Championship (Gold Medal) assistant and the last three as a full-time assistant . His impact was felt in every area of the 2001 World Cup (Bronze Medal) program . 2002 World Championships (Silver Medal) 2003 NORCECA Championship (Gold Medal) Hambly was in charge of practice planning, training and scouting as well as recruiting in 2004 Olympic Games (Fifth place) his final years as an assistant . The level of play was raised over his time at Illinois, bringing 2002-03 Head Coach, USA National Training Teams with him many of the techniques and philosophies he developed under Toshi Yoshida, the U S. . 2003 Pan American Cup (Silver Medal) National team coach for the 2004 Olympics in Athens . 2003 Mexicali Tournament (Bronze Medal) With Hambly serving as an assistant coach, the U S. . went from 12th to first in the Federation 2002 Pan American Cup (Fifth Place) of International Volleyball (FIVB) world rankings in the nine months leading up to the games for 2001-02 Assistant Coach, Minnesota Chill, USPV just the second time . In those four years, the U .S . won the NORCECA championship four years in Won league championship a row, won a silver medal at the World Championships, a bronze medal at the World Cup and a 1997-01 Assistant Coach, UNLV gold and two bronze medals at World Grand Prix Tournaments . Nine All-Conference performers 2001 Mountain West Freshman of the Year A native of Simi Valley, California, Hambly was an All-American in volleyball at Royal High School Sheila Ocasio Clemente and chose to play that sport at BYU, leading the nation in blocks in 1995 . Hambly was named to 1997-01 Rebel Club Las Vegas Volleyball Club the Volleyball Monthly All-Freshman Team in 1992, was selected as a third-team All-American in Club Director/President/Founder 1994 and earned American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) First Team All-America honors 1996 Head Coach, Nevada Juniors Volleyball Club in 1995 . The Cougars ended the season ranked in the top 10 in the nation three times and came 1992-93 Head Coach, Highline Volleyball Club within one win of the Final Four twice in Hambly’s playing days . Hambly played professionally for Montpellier University Club in France, leading the league in PLAYING EXPERIENCE hitting efficiency and in blocks before beginning his coaching career as an assistant at UNLV 1995-96 Montpelier University Club in 1997 . In his four years in Las Vegas, the Rebels produced nine all-conference performers . Finished second in the division regular season Hambly also founded and directed the Rebel volleyball club, which evolved into the highly Led league in hitting efficiency and blocks per game respected Club Las Vegas team and founded the men’s volleyball club team at UNLV . While at 1992-95 Brigham Young University BYU he also served as the head coach of the Highline Volleyball Club’s 16 & under teams for Two-time All-American two years . Two-time all-conference School record for most solo blocks in a match (5) His experience with USA Volleyball began in 2001 where, in addition to serving as an assistant Ranks second on single-season blocks list (181) for the national team, he was also the head coach of the USA Women’s National Training Team Ranks fourth on single-season kills list (1,038) for two tournaments during his tenure . In 2002, he guided the team to fifth at the Pan American Ranks second on career blocks list (533) Cup in Mexico . In 2003, he led the team to third place at the Mexicali Centenarian Women’s Volleyball Cup and second at the Pan American Cup . Hambly continues to serve USA Volleyball as a consultant during try-outs . He also served as an assistant coach for Minnesota of the United States Professional Volleyball, helping lead the Chill to the league championship in 2002 . Hambly graduated with highest honors from the University of Illinois in 2006 with a bachelor’s of science degree in recreation, sport and tourism with an emphasis in sports management . He and his wife Mary (Coleman) Hambly, a 1999 Illinois graduate and former Illini volleyball player, have two daughters, Quinn and Maura .

21 NCAA BIDS // 14 SWEET 16s // 3 FINAL FOURS ­// 5 THE COACHING STAFF

PLAYER HONORS UNDER HAMBLY AVCA All-Americans: Laura DeBruler: second-team, 2008; first team, 2009 Johannah Bangert: honorable mention, 2009 Michelle Bartsch: HM, 2009; third-team, 2010, 2011 Hillary Haen: HM, 2009; third-team, 2010 Colleen Ward: second-team, 2010; first-team 2011 Jocelynn Birks: third-team, 2013 Jennifer Beltran: honorable mention, 2013

RECRUITING CLASS RANKINGS (via PrepVolleyball com. ) Player Individual National Ranking 2013-14 Allison Palmer (transfer from ASU) 101-250 Brandi Donnelly 101-250

2012-13 (Class Ranked No . 25) Michelle Strizak 22 Katie Stadick 51 Katie Roustio 101-250

2011-12 (Class Ranked No . 25) Alexis Vilinuas 34 Maddie Mayers 76

2010-11 (Class Ranked No . 3) Liz McMahon 3 Jocelynn Birks 26 Morganne Criswell 33 Ali Stark 53 The Hamblys - Mary, Maura, Quinn and Kevin

2009-10 (Class Ranked No . 7) Anna Dorn 6 Jazmine Orozco 33 Jennifer Beltran 60

2008-09 (Class Ranked No . 28) Jessica Jendryk 45 Erin Johnson 57 Jackie Wolfe NR

2007-08 (Class Ranked No . 20) Colleen Ward (transfer from Florida) 7 Michelle Bartsch 16 Keelin Bourne 59 Rachel Feldman NR

2006-07 (Class Ranked No . 6) Hillary Haen (No . 3 setter) 23 Laura DeBruler 30 Johannah Bangert 46 Nicole Kump 78 Abby Nelson 97

2005-06 Ashley Edinger (No . 1 libero) 40 Kylie McCulley NR Kevin Hambly accepts his NCAA second-place plaque on Dec. 17, 2011. HAMBLY’S HEAD COACHING RECORD VS . ALL OPPONENTS Arizona State ...... 1-0 Florida ...... 1-0 Long Beach State ...... 0-1 North Carolina ...... 0-1 St . Mary’s (Ca .) ...... 1-0 Western Michigan ...... 1-0 Austin Peay ...... 1-0 Florida State ...... 1-1. Louisville ...... 3-1 Northwestern ...... 8-2 Tennessee ...... 1-0. Wisconsin ...... 8-1 BYU ...... 2-0 Hawaii ...... 0-1 Marquette ...... 2-0. Ohio ...... 2-0 . Texas ...... 2-2 Cal Poly ...... 1-0 Houston ...... 1-0 Michigan ...... 8-2 Ohio State ...... 9-2 Texas Tech ...... 1-0 Pre-Conference . . . . . 37-13 Central Michigan ...... 1-0 . Illinois State ...... 1-0 Michigan State ...... 6-4 Penn State ...... 3-7 . Tulsa ...... 1-0 Big Ten ...... 66-34 Cincinnati ...... 5-1 Indiana ...... 9-1. Middle Tennessee ...... 2-0 Pepperdine ...... 0-1 UCF ...... 1-0 NCAA Tournament . . . . . 11-4 Creighton ...... 1-0 Iowa ...... 8-0 Minnesota ...... 3-6 Purdue ...... 5-6 . UCLA ...... 0-1 TOTAL ...... 114-51 Dayton ...... 3-1 Iowa State ...... 2-1 Morehead State ...... 1-0 Saint Louis ...... 1-0 UCSB ...... 1-0 Duke ...... 0-1 IPFW ...... 1-0 Nebraska ...... 0-5 San Diego ...... 0-1 USC ...... 1-0 Florida A&M ...... 1-0 . Kentucky ...... 1-0. New Mexico State ...... 1-0 South Carolina ...... 1-0 Washington ...... 0-1

6 // 2014 ILLINOIS VOLLEYBALL THE COACHING STAFF

THE HAEN FILE HILLARY HOMETOWN Crystal Lake, Ill . HAEN EDUCATION ASSISTANT COACH B S. ,. Accounting & Finance, Illinois, 2011

FIRST SEASON PLAYING EXPERIENCE Illinois, 2007-10

COACHING EXPERIENCE Owner & Coach, Peoria Elite Volleyball Club, 2012 Club Coach, Eastside Volleyball Club, 2011 Hillary Haen was hired as an assistant coach for and All-Region honorable mentions, while earning All- the Fighting Illini in January 2014 . She will serve as Big Ten honors . Varsity Head Coach, Illinois Valley Central H S. ,. 2012-13 the recruiting coordinator, will work directly with the setters and run the offense . Haen returns to her alma She topped that performance in her final season, Club in 2012 . Her responsibilities in Peoria included mater, where she led the Orange and Blue to three earning third-team All-America honors from both recruiting new members, managing the club’s finances straight NCAA Regional appearances as the Illini’s the AVCA and Volleyball Magazine, capturing an All- and helping her players with the college recruiting setter from 2007-10 . Mideast Region First Team selection and her second- process . She then served as the head varsity volleyball straight All-Big Ten award . Additionally, she was a star coach at Illinois Valley Central High School for the Haen played 115 matches for the Fighting Illini in the classroom, notching three straight Academic 2012-13 season, where she managed a staff of two from 2007-10, taking over as the starting setter her All-Big Ten awards and earning Academic All-District assistant coaches and a volunteer . sophomore year . The Crystal Lake, Illinois, native honors in 2009 . finished her career ranked fourth all-time at Illinois Haen also has work experience in the business world, with 3,956 assists, including 1,471 as a senior . As Following her Illinois career, Haen coached three having served as a staff accountant and a human the quarterback of the Illini offense in 2009, Haen different programs at the high school and club level . resources representative for Caterpillar, Inc . While ranked second in the Big Ten and 16th in the nation In 2011, she coached at Eastside Volleyball Club, and there, Haen focused on team-building and leadership in assists (11 42. per set), garnering AVCA All-America she took over as the owner of the Peoria Elite Volleyball development .

THE LESERMAN FILE SCOTT HOMETOWN Manhattan Beach, Calif .

EDUCATION LESERMAN B A. ,. Economics, Vassar College, ‘09 ASSISTANT COACH PLAYING EXPERIENCE FIRST SEASON Vassar College, 2005-09

COACHING EXPERIENCE Assistant Coach, Northwestern University, 2012-13 Assistant Coach, Loyola University-Chicago, 2011 Volunteer Assistant Coach, University of Illinois, 2010 Scott Leserman was hired as an assistant coach for Leserman’s guidance, Rambler Laura Purcell was the Fighting Illini in July 2014 . Leserman returns to named to the All-Horizon League Newcomer team . Team All-America honors his senior year after leading Champaign after serving as a volunteer assistant Division III in digs per set . Leserman’s name is coach in 2010 . Following a successful playing career, Leserman came scattered throughout Vassar’s record book, where he is to Champaign in 2009 to earn his master’s degree in ranked in the top 10 in 15 season or career statistical Leserman comes to the Illini from Northwestern, sport management at Illinois . As a graduate student, categories, and he received the college’s Frances D . where he served as an assistant coach during the Leserman served as a team manager for the Fighting Fergusson Coaches Award, presented to the athlete 2012 and 2013 seasons . While in Evanston, Leserman Illini . Upon receiving his degree, Leserman spent the who exemplifies commitment to his/her sport . worked extensively on scouting the opposition and the 2010 campaign as Illinois’ volunteer assistant coach defensive side of the game . In his first season with under Kevin Hambly, where he helped the Illini to The Manhattan Beach, California, native played two Northwestern, the Wildcats jumped out to their best their third-straight Sweet 16 appearance as the No . 8 seasons at Mira Costa High School, helping his team start in program history, winning the first 11 matches national seed . to a CIF-SS runner-up finish in 2005 . He also won two of the season to register their longest winning streak Junior Olympic Gold Medals with Riptides Volleyball since 1983 . The `Cats also posted 11 road wins, Leserman began his coaching career on the heels Club in 2004 and 2005 . marking their most victories away from home in over of a prolific playing career at Vassar College, where 20 years . he was a four-year starter and three-year captain . Leserman earned a bachelor’s of arts degree in He helped Vassar to a runner-up finish in the 2008 economics from Vassar College in 2009 and received Prior to his return to the Big Ten, Leserman spent the Molten Invitational Tournament, the championship a master’s in sport management from Illinois in 2010 . 2011 season as an assistant coach at Loyola . Under tournament for Division III, and earned AVCA Second- He and his wife, Emily, reside in Champaign .

21 NCAA BIDS // 14 SWEET 16s // 3 FINAL FOURS ­// 7 THE COACHING STAFF

THE BANGERT FILE JOHANNAH HOMETOWN Washington, Mo . BANGERT EDUCATION DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS B S. ,. Mathematics, Illinois, 2011 SECOND SEASON PLAYING EXPERIENCE Ljungby Volleyboll Klubb, Sweden, 2011-12 Illinois, 2007-10

Johannah Bangert joined the Illini volleyball staff in As a sophomore, Bangert broke Illinois’ single-season Player of the Week five times, was a three-time January 2013 as director of operations . Bangert’s block assist record, tallying 195, and became just the Academic All-Big Ten selection, and became Illinois’ duties include coordinating scheduling, assisting with second Illini in history to stuff 200 total blocks in a third Academic All-American, garnering first-team visiting teams’ travel, and compliance . She serves as season, recording 202 . The middle led the nation in honors in 2010 . the marketing, equipment and event management blocks (1 60. per set) and earned All-Big Ten and All- liaison, while also working directly with the Illini Mideast Region honorable mentions . Bangert graduated from the University of Illinois in Networkers, the volleyball booster club . May 201, with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics . Bangert led the nation in blocks once again in 2009 Bangert played every match at middle blocker for (1 58). and was named All-America and All-Region Following her playing career at Illinois, Bangert signed Illinois from 2007-10 and graduated as the Illini’s all- honorable mention, along with All-Big Ten . a professional volleyball contract with the Ljungby time blocking leader, stuffing a total of 653 . Bangert Volleyboll Klubb in Sweden, where she played in holds the Big Ten record for career block assists, In her senior season, Bangert broke the Big Ten all- 2011-12 . putting up 613 throughout her career . time block assists record and set a new Illinois total blocks record, surpassing Mary Eggers’ 22-year-old A member of the sixth-ranked recruiting class in 2007, record by nearly 100 with 653 total career blocks . She Bangert hit 588. with 11 kills against Bowling Green is the only Illini ever to break the 500-mark in block in her collegiate debut . The middle blocker finished her assists, finishing with a conference-best 613 . rookie season ranked fourth in the Big Ten in hitting percentage ( 358). and eighth in aces per set (0 26). . Throughout her career, Bangert was named Defensive

THE GORDON FILE CHAD HOMETOWN San Jose, Calif . GORDON EDUCATION VOLUNTEER ASSISTANT COACH B S. ,. Biopsychology, UC-Santa Barbara, 2014 FIRST SEASON PLAYING EXPERIENCE UC-Santa Barbara Men’s Club Volleyball, 2011-14 Bay to Bay Club, 2006-10

COACHING EXPERIENCE Student Assistant, UC-Santa Barbara, 2010-13 Assistant Coach, Santa Barbara VC, 2012-14 Chad Gordon joined the Fighting Illini coaching staff team, during the summers following his first two years Assistant Coach, Stingray VC, 2007-09 in June 2014 as a volunteer assistant . Gordon has a at college . Assistant Coach, Bay to Bay, 2011-12 wealth of coaching experience under his belt, having Assistant Coach, The Harker School, 2006-09 begun his coaching career as a freshman in high While a student at UC-Santa Barbara, Gordon served school, serving as the assistant coach for the JV girls as a student assistant coach for the Gauchos, the club team all four years and taking over as club volleyball team as an underclassman and assisting who advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2013 . president as a sophomore . The Gauchos club finished the varsity team his junior and senior years at The Additionally, he spent his final two years of college in the top 10 nationally all four years, including Harker School in San Jose, California . as an assistant coach with the 18-1s at the Santa Barbara Volleyball Club . advancing to the national championship match his During his high school coaching career, Gordon sophomore season . aided the varsity team that advanced to the state A talented setter, Gordon played five seasons for Bay Gordon graduated from UC-Santa Barbara in 2014 championship match in 2007 . Outside of school, to Bay in Northern California . In his 18s year, under with a degree in biopsychology . Gordon served as an assistant coach for the Stingray head coach Ken Shibuya, Bay to Bay became the first Volleyball Club from 2007-09 . Gordon continued his team in the league ever to go undefeated (40-0) . He club coaching career with Bay to Bay, his former club continued his playing career at UCSB, playing for

8 // 2014 ILLINOIS VOLLEYBALL SUPPORT STAFF RANDY BALLARD ATHLETIC TRAINER 14TH SEASON

Randy Ballard enters his 14th season as an athletic He has also served as therapist for numerous student athletic trainer for the Kansas State athletic trainer for the volleyball, cross country and track and Olympians and world champions including Perdita program before moving to Texas . In Austin, Ballard field teams . A 1999 graduate of Kansas State, Ballard Felicien, Bershawn Jackson, and Lauren Williams . worked primarily with the Longhorn football and men’s earned his master’s degree in kinesiology from the track and field programs . Texas in 2001 . Randy has a great interest and expertise in manual therapies and the rehabilitation aspects of the athletic Randy and his wife, Lori, have a daughter, Avery, and The Concordia, Kansas, native is no stranger to training world . Having learned from numerous well- a son, Ryder . working with world-class athletes . Ballard has worked renowned therapists, Ballard brings a well-rounded as an athletic trainer several times for the USA Track skill set to the athletic training room . Along with being & Field teams . Most recently, he served as an athletic integral in the the therapy and rehabilitation aspects trainer for USA Track and Field at the 2008 Olympic of sports medicine, Ballard helped develop the physical Games in Beijing, China . competency testing that the volleyball team uses to help assess and develop their training programming . The previous year, Ballard was an athletic trainer for Randy has also presented at several professional the 2007 U S. . Track & Field World Championships and coaching conferences on therapy, testing and team in Osaka, Japan . He also served as the Head rehabilitation topics . Athletic Trainer at the 2006 Cross Country World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan . Prior to Illinois, Ballard spent three seasons as a

VOLLEYBALL SUPPORT STAFF

Becky Corbly Marla Glasser Kathy Hug Kathy Kaler Equipment Manager Athletic Event Management Academic Counselor Communications

Paul Kowalczyk Steve Oldenburg Brad Swanson Jennifer Walburn- Senior Associate Strength & Marketing Cochrane Athletic Director Conditioning Office Manager

21 NCAA BIDS // 14 SWEET 16s // 3 FINAL FOURS ­// 9 ADMINISTRATION MIKE THOMAS DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS FOURTH YEAR

Mike Thomas is in his fourth year at the University Thomas and the I FUND also announced an ambitious 2011 and 2012 . of Illinois in 2014-15 after being named the school’s long-term goal of “15 x 15 x 2020,” which aspires to 18th director of athletics on Aug . 10, 2011, following more than double both the donor base to 15,000 and Thomas brought back a Bearcat when he hired former six successful years as the director of athletics at total amount donated to scholarships to $15 million UC assistant Mick Cronin as head men’s basketball the University of Cincinnati . A 29-year veteran of annually by the year 2020 coach in 2006 . Cronin returned the program to national college athletics administration, Thomas is leading the prominence with appearances in the NCAA tournament Fighting Illini athletic program to national prominence . On the competitive front, Illini teams have compiled the past four seasons . one NCAA championship, six Big Ten titles, and In three years leading the Division of Intercollegiate 11 individual NCAA titles during Thomas’ three UC grew to be one of the most recognized schools Athletics at Illinois, Thomas has executed a number years at the helm . In 2012, Thomas’ first year at in the 16-member Big East for academic success of major projects . Thomas launched the three-year, Illinois, the Fighting Illini finished 21st overall in the and earning multiple Big East Academic Excellence $170 million State Farm Center renovation project – Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup standings, marking the Awards, including a league-high five Big East including a landmark 30-year, $60 million naming program’s second-best finish in the 21 -year history Academic Excellence Awards in 2009-10 . rights agreement that is the largest for a college-only of the award . The overall APR of all Bearcats programs also increased venue in the country . Construction started in winter Thomas began his tenure in Champaign-Urbana by during Thomas’ tenure . In the final APR report from his 2014 and will be completed in full before the 2016-17 tenure, five UC athletic teams earned perfect APR season . hiring Tim Beckman as the Fighting Illini head football coach in December 2011 and naming John Groce and scores of 1,000, including men’s basketball . In that Thomas spearheaded a $7 2. million project at Matt Bollant the head coaches of Illinois men’s and same time period, the Graduate Success Rate (GSR) Memorial Stadium that included a new video board, women’s basketball, respectively, in April 2012 . for student-athletes increased from 66 percent to 77 percent .

COACHES ribbon boards, auxiliary video boards, sound system In the classroom, Fighting Illini student-athletes and control room to enhance the fan experience at Illini From 2006-11, UC’s student-athletes emerged as football games . Along with head coach Mike Small, posted an impressive 3 23. overall GPA for the Fall 2013 semester and 3 14. for Spring 2014 . Ten teams community leaders, with annual community service Thomas oversaw the fundraising for and construction hours growing from 1,000 to over 5,500 . of the $5 5. million Lauritsen/Wohlers Outdoor Golf posted a perfect 1,000 in the NCAA Academic Progress Practice Facility . In addition, the $1 2. million second- Rate (APR) for the 2012-13 academic year – baseball, On the external side, the University of Cincinnati grew phase renovation of Huff Hall, which featured a new men’s cross country, men’s golf, men’s gym, wrestling, at a tremendous rate . Thomas increased UC’s athletic floor and lower bowl bleachers among other upgrades, women’s golf, softball, women’s soccer, women’s department budget 20 percent, while simultaneously was completed in summer 2014 . And in spring 2014, tennis and volleyball – while five earned the NCAA reducing the annual operating deficit by more than Thomas moved forward with two studies – renovating Public Recognition Award by ranking in the top 10 $6 million . the south and east sides of Memorial Stadium and percent of their sport nationally for the four-year developing a master plan for Olympic sport venues – to period ending with 2012-13: baseball, men’s golf, UC established single-season attendance and revenue be completed in September 2014 . women’s golf, soccer and women’s tennis . For the third records for football in each of the three seasons straight year, Fighting Illini student-athletes, coaches from 2008-10 . Football attendance skyrocketed, with On the branding front, Thomas guided Illinois through and staff completed over 7,000 hours of community season-ticket package sales exploding by 277 percent an 18-month collaboration with Nike, completed in service . since 2006 and resulting in record football revenues . April 2014, that resulted in a new brand and identity system including new uniforms and consistent colors, Prior to his move to Illinois, Thomas revamped and In terms of donor development, membership in UCATS logos, lettering and numerals . He also led a group led a vibrant Cincinnati Bearcats athletic program increased by almost 300 percent during Thomas’ that signed a 10-year agreement with Learfield Sports from 2005-11, directing the school’s launch into the tenure and the department raised $70 million during estimated to be worth more than $60 million to become Big East Conference and earning several Big East his arrival . Thomas raised private funds and built the DIA’s exclusive marketing partner and multimedia championships, as well as multiple Big East academic Sheakley Athletics Center, providing football and other rights holder, and launched “Illinois . Our State . Our excellence awards . UC athletic teams much needed additional practice and competitive space . Team ”. as the theme for Fighting Illini athletics . In 2006, Thomas hired head football coach Brian During Thomas’ tenure, the I FUND has seen impressive Kelly and the Cincinnati football team made program In 2008-09, Thomas revamped UC’s multimedia rights growth in donations fueled by the launch of the Illinois history in the three following seasons by achieving partnership, reaching an agreement with IMG College Renaissance to renovate State Farm Center, with a 34-6 record, consecutive Big East Championships for a new multimedia rights partnership, increasing first-year fundraising efforts for the campaign totaling and appearances in the Orange and Sugar Bowls . The overall revenues in this area by over $17 million . nearly $95 million in cash and pledges . Total I FUND 2009 season ended with UC finishing 12-0 and No . 3 in the final BCS rankings . Thomas also hired Butch Prior to taking the athletic director position at UC, fundraising of $29 2. million for 2013-14 marked a Thomas spent five years as the Director of Athletics at record high and is 73 percent increase over 2011-12 . Jones, who went on to ensure Cincinnati’s dominance on the conference scene, sharing in a Big East title in the University of Akron and seven years as associate

10 // 2014 ILLINOIS VOLLEYBALL ADMINISTRATION

athletic director at the University of Virginia, an institution known for achieving Committee . He presently serves on the Big Ten Legislative Review Committee . impressive success both academically and athletically, before bringing that model to Akron . Virginia finished in the Top 25 in the Director’s Cup in each year of Thomas’ Twice during his career, Thomas has received distinction for his efforts and tenure there while at the same time finishing in the Top 10 nationally in student- dedication as a director of athletics, garnering the General Robert R . Neyland athlete graduation rates . Outstanding Athletics Director Award in 2005 at Akron and then again in April of 2008 at Cincinnati . He has been recognized by the Cincinnati Sports Professionals Under Thomas’ direction, Akron rose from last place to second among Mid-American Network as the 2009-10 Sports Executive of the Year . Conference schools in the Director’s Cup annual rankings . Simultaneously, Akron vaulted from last to second place in the MAC Academic Achievement Awards . Prior to his experience at Virginia, Thomas spent seven years at the University Thomas increased the financial base of the Akron athletics program through of Denver as assistant athletic director for internal operations, serving as chief increasing corporate sponsorship levels by 750 percent and boosted annual giving financial officer and overseeing the departments of compliance, merchandising, to athletics to its highest level in the school’s history . Community support was and facilities . He began his athletic administration career at the University of Iowa rallied, with record increases shown in both football and basketball attendance . as an administrative and operations intern . During this time period, the Zips won their first and only MAC football championship Thomas received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Colorado and participated in the program’s lone FBS bowl game in history . Thomas’ hire of State University in 1983, and his master’s degree in athletic administration from men’s basketball coach Keith Dambrot led to unparalleled success on the hardwood Western Illinois University in 1986 . He and his wife, Jenifer, have four children: with Dambrot’s program becoming one of the most successful in the MAC over the Vince, Joey, Mick and Meredith . past 10 seasons, including eight postseason appearances . While at Akron, support services and facilities for academic support for student-athletes were significantly improved, resulting in jumps in grade point averages and graduation rates of UA student-athletes . ILLINOIS ATHLETIC DIRECTOR HISTORY During his career in collegiate athletics, Thomas has coordinated over $350 million in facility construction and renovation, including $25 million in capital improvements 1892-94 Edward K. Hall at Akron that featured a new indoor fieldhouse and golf facility, a football practice 1894-95 Fred D. Dodge complex, and a softball facility . He also spearheaded the new on-campus football 1895-98 Henry H. Everett stadium and was instrumental in the development and launching stages of the $61 1898-1901 Jacob K. Shell million facility, which opened in September of 2009 . 1901-36 George A. Huff At Virginia, Thomas served as a member of the senior staff and was sport 1936-41 Wendell S. Wilson oversight for eight programs . He served as the department liaison for the $86 1941-66 Douglas R. Mills million renovation to UVA’s football stadium and oversaw several other capital 1966-67 Leslie Bryan (interim) projects . In addition, Thomas served as the Chair of the Atlantic Coast Conference 1967-72 E.E. (Gene) Vance Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving Committee and also served on the ACC Sportsmanship Committee . 1972 Charles E. Flynn (interim) 1972-79 Cecil N. Coleman Recognized for his administrative acumen by his peers, Thomas has served on several 1979 Ray Eliot (interim) national and conference committees, including the NCAA Division I Championship/ Sports Management Cabinet (where he also served as the NCAA men’s basketball 1980-88 Neale R. Stoner liaison to the cabinet and as a member of the cabinet’s four-person Administrative 1988 Ronald E. Guenther (interim) Committee) and the NCAA Men’s Basketball Issues Committee . Thomas also 1988 Dr. Karol A. Kahrs (interim) previously chaired the Big East Championship and Competition Committee and 1988-91 John Mackovic served as a member of the NCAA Division I Championships/Competition Cabinet, 1991-92 Robert Todd (interim) the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Issues Committee, the NCAA Division I 1992-2011 Ronald E. Guenther Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet, the NCAA Postseason Bowl Licensing Subcommittee and the Division IA Athletics Director’s Association Legislative Review 2011- Michael J. Thomas

21 NCAA BIDS // 14 SWEET 16s // 3 FINAL FOURS ­// 11