Kelly Schmidt and outsider hitter Katie Vatterrodt were each picked to play for the team.

Schmidt is a 6-3 middle blocker/right side from Champaign Ill. who attends Centennial High School. She was the 31st-ranked high school senior in the nation according to prepvolleyball.com. Schmidt was named Second-Team All-State in 2003 and Honorable Mention All-State in 2002.

She was also named First-Team All-Conference and All-Area in 2003 and 2004. Schmidt was named the conference’s Blocker of the Year in 2002, 2003 and 2004, and the Offensive Player of the Year in 2003 and 2004. She set her high school’s record in blocks and kills. Schmidt also played five years for the Illini Elite Volleyball Club.

Vatterrodt is a 6-2 outside hitter from Bloomington, Ill. who attends Normal West High School. She was the 18th-ranked high school senior in the nation according to prepvolleyball.com. Vatterrodt was named All-Area and All-City in 2003 and 2004 and All- Conference in 2002, 2003 and 2004. She set the single-season school record for kills. Vatterrodt was also the team MVP in 2003 and 2004 and was named a Big 12 Scholar Athlete.

She also played on the U.S. A-2 National team in the summer of the 2004. Vatterrodt has played for the Illini Elite club team for the last six years. She was also named to the 2004 prepvolleyball.com All-American team.

Both players were also among the Volleyball Magazine Fab 50 list.