Illini Volleyball Inks Three on National Signing Day

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois Volleyball Head Coach Chris Tamas announced the addition of three student-athletes on Wednesday (November 9).  Lily Barry, Taylor de Boer, and Gabby Dean will join the Illini volleyball squad for the 2023 campaign.

Lily Barry // Emden, Illinois // University High School // Illini Elite Volleyball Club // DS // 5-6

Notes: Four-year letter winner at University High School… Named Pantagraph All-Area Volleyball from 2019-21… Named to the IVCA All-State First team as a senior… Listed as a PrepVolleyball Top 150 Class of 2023, Named by Prep Dig a top-10 players in the state of Illinois in 2022…  Named to AVCA Phenom Watch List… Recognized as a Class of 2023 Ultra Ankle JVA Watch List prospect…Participated in the 2021 and 2022 USA Volleyball National Team Development Program Winter Series.

Coach Tamas on Barry: “I have seen Lily develop since my first year here at Illinois. She is a very dynamic and talented athlete. More importantly, she brings a competitive fire to the floor, and she has upped her game every year I have seen her play. She has been a leader on all her teams and that quality is just as important as any. Lily has elevated the level of all the teams she has competed on and will continue to do that for us. We welcome Lily to campus this spring and are ready to get to work with her in Huff.”

Why Illinois? “I chose Illinois because as a kid I dreamed of playing for this program. As soon as I got on campus, I knew it was the right fit for me, it felt like home right away.”

Taylor de Boer // Kelowna, British Columbia // Vernon Secondary School // Team Canada Junior Team // OH/RS // 6-4

Notes: Trained with Team Canada Junior Team from 2021-22… Named the Canadian Junior Team U19 Captain in 2022… Took part in the National Excellence Program.

Coach Tamas on de Boer: “Taylor fits the mold of the type of six rotation player we are looking for. She has worked hard on her game over the past several years including being selected to train with the Canadian National Development Team. She has a dream and a vision to play professional volleyball and help bring Canada back to the Olympic games and podium. We are excited to be a part of her journey and look forward to her development with us starting this spring.”

Why Illinois? “I chose Illinois because I felt that…