Kelly Scherr wasn''t ready to end her involvement with her favorite volleyball team. Thanks to WDWS and the Illini Sports Network, she won''t have to.

   Scherr, an All-Big Ten middle blocker for the University of Illinois team, will serve as an analyst on radio broadcasts this season.

   "It will give me a good opportunity to stay in touch," Scherr said. "Not only were they great teammates and coaches, but they are really close friends."

   The speech communications graduate already had planned to be in Champaign-Urbana this fall. Besides her radio work, she''s coaching the Mahomet-Seymour High School junior-varsity team.

   Her commitment to the Bulldogs might limit her radio work some, especially when her team has weekend tournaments.

   Scherr also needs a couple weekends free for trips home to Dubuque, Iowa, to plan her wedding. She is marrying former Illini baseball player Brian McClure on Jan. 10.

   Volleyball play-by-play voice Dave Loane said he''s happy to have Scherr on the broadcasts.

   "I think it''s always good to have a former player," Loane said. "Not only do they bring expertise from the point of the technique of the game, but they know the program so well. They know what a coach is going to say during timeouts.

   "It gives so much insight."

   Scherr agrees.

   "I think it''s really important as an analyst that you understand the game and have some background in it so you know the strategies and the techniques the players are using," Scherr said.

   Loane and Scherr have developed a rapport during the last five years. Loane first interviewed Scherr when she still was in high school.

   "She has always projected well and always talked a good game," Loane said.

   Scherr admits the first couple matches won''t be easy for her. Not because of the broadcasts but because she''ll want to be on the court.

   "It will be kind of difficult just because I was such a part of the team," Scherr said. "I''m sure I''ll miss it."