IlliniGuys Staff

November 28, 2021

The Fighting Illini volleyball is returning to the NCAA tournament after a one-year hiatus, facing West Virginia in its first round match in Lexington, Kentucky.

The announcement was made Sunday night on the special NCAA Selection Show on ESPNU.

The Illini went 20-11 this season overall, 12-8 in the rugged Big Ten conference which saw five teams land among the tournament's top 16 seeds and Michigan and Penn State also receiving bids.

West Virginia (19-9) is making its first-ever NCAA tournament appearance.  The winner of this matchup will likely have to face defending national champion Kentucky in round two.

Illinois missed the 2020 tournament held this past spring due to the pandemic.  The Illini finished 7-11 in a campaign that featured only Big Ten opponents.

The Illini have been a staple in the prestigious postseason tournament, making the field in eleven of the past 14 years.