Sept. 20, 2010
Complete Release in PDF Format 
Faces of the Big Ten
Arielle Wilson, MH, Penn State
Sr., Broadview, Ill.
A two-time AVCA All-American, Arielle Wilson has been an integral part of Penn State's three national championships. Majoring in nursing, Wilson hopes to become an ER nurse after pursuing a professional volleyball career. Outside of volleyball, Wilson has joined her teammates as a volunteer at the Penn State dance MaraTHON and with the Special Olympics. In addition, when she heads to her hometown Wilson works with her former high school team.
First Serve
The Big Ten concluded the non-conference portion of its season last weekend, combining for a 106-17 (.862) record. The Big Ten schedule begins on Wednesday night when Indiana hosts Purdue at 7 p.m. ET on the Big Ten Network, one of seven conference matchups to be nationally broadcast this week.
Where We Rank
Eight Big Ten teams were mentioned in the latest AVCA Division I national coaches poll, including four teams ranked in the top 25. Penn State remains at No. 2 for the second week in a row, while Illinois is ranked ninth this week. Minnesota appears at No. 14, while Michigan is ranked No. 22. Ohio State, Northwestern, Wisconsin and Purdue are also receiving votes this week.
Let's Get it Started
Penn State opens the defense of its seven-straight Big Ten Championships when conference action begins this week. The first match of the 2010 season will be Wednesday when Indiana hosts Purdue at 7 p.m. ET, televised live by the Big Ten Network. Seven conference teams enter Big Ten play with 10 or more wins, and nine squads have won at least 80 percent of their matches.
Unscathed
A pair Big Ten teams remain undefeated, two of just 10 such teams in the nation, heading into conference play this week. Indiana is 12-0 on the season and off to its best start since 1997, while Wisconsin equals its best start ever at 11-0, already reaching its win total from the 2009 season. Both squads will be featured on the Big Ten Network this week, with Indiana hosting Purdue on Wednesday and Wisconsin welcoming Penn State on Sunday.
This and That
Michigan's Lexi Zimmerman is just 25 assists away from becoming the program's all-time leader ... Michigan teammate Sloane Donhoff eclipsed 1,000 digs in her career over the weekend ... Northwestern reached 10 wins in the preseason for the first time since 1998.
CLASS-y Group
Five Big Ten volleyball student-athletes were named candidates for the inaugural 2010 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award for volleyball. The award will be given annually to outstanding seniors who have demonstrated excellence in four areas - community, classroom, character and competition. Illinois' Laura DeBruler, Michigan's Lexi Zimmerman, Minnesota's Lauren Gibbemeyer, Northwestern's Sabel Moffett and Penn State's Arielle Wilson were listed among the 30 candidates, which will be narrowed to 10 midway through the season.
Got You Covered
This season, Big Ten women's volleyball will enjoy extensive television coverage, with 25 matches being broadcast nationally. The Big Ten Network will televise 22 conference volleyball matchups, while ESPN2 will showcase three contests this season. Additionally, the Big Ten Network will stream numerous matches online at www.bigtennetwork.com.
Also, for up to the minute news and notes on Big Ten volleyball, log on to the Big Ten Volleyball Blog at http://www.bigten.org/blog/volleyball/ or follow on Twitter at @BigTenDan.
