Illini volleyball coach Kevin Hambly said Friday morning that sophomore hitter Jazmine Orozco has been medically cleared and will be available to play tonight.

No. 7 Illinois faces Central Michigan in the first round of the NCAA tournament at Huff Hall.

It's looking more likely that Illini volleyball player Jazmine Orozco will be medically cleared to play in the NCAA volleyball tournament this weekend at Huff Hall.

The sophomore right-side hitter, one of Illinois' top reserves, has missed the team's last seven matches due to a concussion. Orozco was injured during a collision with a teammate in prematch warmups on Nov. 5 at Indiana.

Illini volleyball player Jazmine Orozco is expected to be unavailable for a second straight match tonight against Ohio State.

After landing Top 7-rated recruiting classes each of the past two years, Kevin Hambly wasted no time Wednesday bracing Illini volleyball fans for a more modest ranking.
“Not because they’re not talented kids, but just cause we only have two scholarships to fill,” the third-year head coach said.

If you are an Illini volleyball fan and were ticked off that the Big Ten Network did not carry last Saturday’s showdown match against No. 4 Nebraska live, you’re not alone.

Some news and notes on Illini volleyball:

The contract for the Big Ten-Big East Challenge expires after next year, and it’s doubtful Illinois would remain involved if the four-team event continues.

One of the neat things about this job is getting the chance to meet some of the giants in the world of sports.

The American Volleyball Coaches Association released its preseason Top 25 poll on Monday, and if the voters are right, No. 8 Illinois faces an enormously challenging schedule in 2011.

It’s D-Day — decision day — for Charlie Tilson.

The Illinois baseball recruit faces an 11 p.m. Monday deadline to sign with the St. Louis Cardinals. Tilson, the 2011 Gatorade Illinois Player of the Year from New Trier High School, was drafted in June by the Cardinals in the second round with the 79th overall pick.

Hartleb says 2012 Big Ten-opening series will be at Lincoln.