• All 14 Big Ten programs are in action this weekend with five top-20 matchups occurring over the country: #8 Minnesota at #3 Texas (FS1), #11 Marquette at #4 Wisconsin (FS1), #17 Baylor at #4 Wisconsin (BTN), #5 Illinois vs. #16 Washington and #7 Florida at #8 Minnesota (BTN+).
• Nine Big Ten programs are either ranked or receiving votes in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) weekly poll, with five teams ranked in the top ten. Nebraska is second in the nation, Wisconsin claimed the No. 4 spot, Illinois and Penn State are ranked fifth and sixth, respectively, while Minnesota is No. 8. Michigan checks in at No. 14 and Purdue is ranked No. 18. Iowa and Maryland are receiving votes in the poll.
• The Big Ten volleyball television package features at least 48 matches this season — 38 on BTN (including seven doubleheader broadcasts), six on the ESPN family of networks (one on ESPN, two on ESPN2 and three on ESPNU) and four on FS1. BTN’s volleyball coverage will be the most extensive in Network history and will include the debut of the B1G Volleyball Report on Sept. 18. The B1G Volleyball Report will air throughout October following doubleheader matches on Wednesday nights with highlights and analysis from across the Conference.
• The Big Ten announced its first weekly awards on Tuesday. Wisconsin’s Dana Rettke earned Player of the Week after averaging 5.83 kills and hitting .534 in two straight-set wins. Michigan State’s Jayme Cox was named Defensive Player of the Week after posting 6.57 digs per set and named to the All-Tournament Team. Wisconsin’s Sydney Hilley claimed Setter of the Week after notching 13.0 assists per set and Nebraska’s Kenzie Knuckles averaged 5.86 digs per set in two Husker wins, earning Freshman of the Week.
• Seventeen Big Ten volleyball students were selected as AVCA All-Americans in 2018. A Big Ten- record nine B1G students were named first-team All-America selections. Five of them return for the 2019 season (Illinois’ Quade, Minnesota’s Samedy, Nebraska’s Stivrins, Penn State’s White and Wisconsin’s Rettke).
• Sixty-six Academic All-Big Ten honorees and 22 Big Ten Distinguished Scholars return to their respective teams in 2019.
• Eleven members of last year’s All-Big Ten First Team return to the fold this season, including last season’s Defensive Player of the Year, Penn State’s Kendall White and 2018 Freshman of the Year, Penn State’s Jonni Parker.
• Four active Big Ten coaches have recorded at least 600 career wins: Penn State’s Russ Rose (1,275), Nebraska’s John Cook (723), Michigan State’s Cathy George (640) and Michigan’s Mark Rosen (620). Rose ranks first among active Division I coaches in career victories, while Cook ranks 9th, George is 14th and Rosen is No. 17.
