CHAMPAIGN — Michael Peck, a former assistant coach at Penn State and Florida, has joined Jolette Law’s Illini women’s basketball staff in a similar capacity.
Peck most recently worked as an account executive for AchieveGlobal in Dallas. Since 2007, he also has been a proprietor of The Wine Loft bar/restaurant in Dallas.
Peck, whose sister, Carolyn, is an ESPN analyst and a former Purdue and WNBA head coach, spent a portion of his coaching career working for his sister at Florida (2002-07) and the WNBA’s Orlando Miracle (2001-02). He served on Rene Portland’s Penn State staff from 1998 to 2001, helping the Nittany Lions to the 2000 Final Four.
Peck fills the vacancy created when Karen Middleton left for Western Carolina in spring 2009.

Illini eliminated in doubles. A rally by Dennis Nevolo and Marek Czerwinski fell short Friday when the Illini were eliminated in the NCAA doubles championships in the second round by Virginia’s 14th-ranked Drew Courtney and Michael Shabaz 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.
Czerwinski closed his Illinois career with a 51-24 mark in doubles and a 46-15 record in singles.

Volleyball class in Top 10. Prepvolleyball.com has ranked Illinois’ 2010 recruiting class No. 7 in the nation. The website announced its rankings Thursday.
The Illini will add freshmen Jennifer Bonilla (libero) of Reseda, Calif., Anna Dorn (middle blocker) of Munster, Ind.; Jazmine Orozco (outside hitter) of Lakewood, Calif.; and walk-on Courtney Abrahamovich (defensive specialist) of Naperville Central in the fall.
Also joining Illinois next season are two transfers: outside hitter Colleen Ward (Florida) and setter Annie Luhrsen (Connecticut).
Among Big Ten schools, Illinois’ recruiting class was ranked third behind No. 2 Penn State and No. 6 Minnesota. Southern California’s class led the list.
Here’s what Prepvolleyball.com had to say about the UI class:
“This class brings athleticism and skill to the Illini and should help them continue their ascendance towards the nation’s elite. Bonilla is one of the most accomplished liberos to ever come out of high school. A member of two U.S. Youth National teams, she plays the libero position with the athleticism of an outside and is tremendous in serve-receive. She also has a point-scoring jump serve. Orozco is a polished six-rotation outside already and plays beyond her age and experience at the position. She is long and lean and plays the back court as well as she plays the front. Her blocking ability will be an asset at either pin. Dorn is one of the top athletes in the country and certainly to play for Illinois. Her lateral quickness and jumping ability (10-6) make her a potential contributor her freshman year. Her potential over a career is virtually unlimited. Abrahamovich will add more depth at the libero/defensive specialist position. Illinois also welcomes two transfers who will impact the team, including OH Colleen Ward, who was a top 10 national recruit when she enrolled at Florida two years ago.”

Polz advances to Junior Worlds. Illinois wrestler Conrad Polz won the 163-pound class at the World Team Trials to earn a spot in the Junior World Championships in July in Budapest, Hungary.
Polz, competing in the FILA Junior division, won his first two bouts in the best-of-three competition against Iowa’s Ethan Lofthouse.
Teammate Jimmy Kennedy, competing in the University division at 1451/2 pounds, finished second.

Griffith leads UI women. Illinois’ Latoya Griffith advanced to the NCAA Championships with a strong showing in the 400-meter hurdles Friday at the NCAA West Preliminary Round track and field meet in Austin, Texas.
Griffith was 10th among the 12 qualifiers after clocking a season-best 58.05 seconds. Three other Illini — Tamika Robinson (100 hurdles) and Melissa Bates and Kayla Smith (200) — advanced to today’s final round in their bids to reach nationals.

Wisslead punches ticket. Illinois’ Cody Wisslead earned a spot at the NCAA Championships in track and field after a personal-best 50.33 in the 400-meter hurdles at the NCAA West Preliminary Round in Austin, Texas.
Wisslead was the ninth fastest among 12 qualifiers for the national meet. Illinois’ Andrew Riley (110 hurdles) and Stanley Azie (200) advanced to today’s final round in their events.