WCIA — Illinois volleyball is picked to finish tied for sixth in the Big Ten Preseason Poll released on Monday. The Illini are tied with Michigan in the projected order of finish by league coaches. Defending national champion Wisconsin is the favorite to repeat as conference champions, with the Badgers looking for their fourth consecutive B1G title. National runner-up Nebraska is second, followed by Minnesota and Ohio State.

Illinois also got one player on the Big Ten Preseason All-Conference team, with junior outside hitter Raina Terry getting the nod. Illinois is coming off a 22-12 season last year, including the program’s 10th appearance in the Sweet 16 in the past 14 seasons.

2022 BIG TEN VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON POLL

1.         Wisconsin

2.         Nebraska

3.         Minnesota

4.         Ohio State

5.         Penn State

6.         (tie) Illinois

            (tie) Michigan

8.         Purdue

9.         Northwestern

10.       Maryland

11.       Michigan State

12.       Iowa

13.       Indiana

14.       Rutgers

2022 BIG TEN VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM

Unanimous selection listed in ALL CAPS  //  * – attending 2022 Big Ten Volleyball Media Days

Additional student-athlete due to tie in voting

Illinois also formally announced its non-conference schedule on Monday, with the Illini starting the season with four straight trips, including matches in Mississippi, Colorado, Ohio and Wisconsin. The first home match for Illinois isn’t until the end of September when Big Ten play starts on Sept. 23 against Maryland.