1999 VOLLEYBALL - DEFENDING CHAMPION ELMHURST PICKED AS FAVORITE FOR 1999 CCIW VOLLEYBALL RACE

ROCK ISLAND , Illinois - Elmhurst , which one year ago won its first College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin volleyball championship since 1988, received the favorite's nod to repeat in 1999. The Bluejays of head coach Julie Hall finished the 1998 season with an overall record of 31-8. Elmhurst and Illinois Wesleyan each posted 6-1 records in the CCIW during the regular season but the two teams' performances in the conference tournament proved the difference in the final standings.

Elmhurst won the CCIW tournament, hosted by the Bluejays, with a 3-1 (15-12; 15-13; 11-15; 15-5) victory over Millikin in the final. Illinois Wesleyan ended up finishing third with a 3-2 win over Wheaton (15-4; 15-8; 14-16; 7-15; 15-10) in the third place game. The Titans fell to Elmhurst in the semifinals by a score of 3-0 (15-8; 15-3; 15-12). Millikin made it to the championship match with a 3-1 (9-15; 15-7; 15-0; 15-0) victory over Wheaton in the semi-finals.

In the pre-season coaches poll the Bluejays picked up 45 points and four first place votes. Each school in the conference voted for the seven other schools but not for her own. Illinois Wesleyan, 21-17 last year, was voted second with 39 points and two first place votes. Wheaton (24-19) was third with 34 points and the remaining two first place votes.

Millikin (22-17) was fourth with 32 points, Augustana (20-17) was tabbed for fifth with 27 points. North Central (24-12) picked up 22 points for sixth place. Carthage (8-29) received 13 points in seventh place and North Park (17-17) had 12 points for eighth.

The College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin tournament will be held at Augustana College in Rock Island , Illinois on Thursday through Saturday, November 4-6.

1999 COLLEGE CONFERENCE OF ILLINOIS & WISCONSIN

VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL

1998 COLLEGE CONFERENCE OF ILLINOIS & WISCONSIN VOLLEYBALL FINAL STANDINGS