Ashley Berggren, Illinois' all-time leading scorer, came back to Champaign wearing a different jersey this weekend.

Competing for the Reebok Lady Stars, Berggren muscled down a game high 15 rebounds, while scoring seven points in a losing effort.

"It's great coming back here," said Berggren. "It's real fun getting back and playing in front of the community."

Berggren, the 1997 Big Ten Player of the Year, was named MVP of the Illini for three consecutive years spanning from 1996-98. She also gained national recognition by being named third team All-America after the 1998 season.

"Ashley set Illinois on the map for us," said head coach Theresa Grentz. "I love watching her play. I love being around her. But it's this group's turn now."

For the past two years Berggren has taught science to underprivileged kids at Piccolo Specialty School on the west side of Chicago. It's the experience Berggren gained at Illinois that has helped her teach at an under-resourced school.

"I wouldn't be able to teach at this school without the experiences I gained at Illinois," Berggren said. "My school is very challenging. We have eighth graders who read at a third grade level. Coach Grentz used to always say 'find a way', I've posted those words in my classroom."

Berggren would love to pursue a coaching career sometime down the line, but for now she's still got a player's mentality.

"I'd definitely love to eventually coach," Berggren said. "But right now I'm still in that player mode."

Point Guards Sit Out

Starting point guard Janelle Hughes and freshman backup Missy Mitidiero were not in uniform Sunday. Both were benched for academic reasons.

"I love them both dearly," said Grentz. "They're great kids. But playing is a privilege and they didn't take care of the things they needed to in the classroom. It's nothing major."

Cindy Dallas Update

Sixth year senior Cindy Dallas, who is recovering from a knee scope, sat out her second consecutive exhibition game on Sunday. Dallas, the Big Ten's leading rebounder the past two seasons, is progressing well according to her doctors. The Illini hope to have her back for the beginning of the regular season, but her return is still up in the air.

Quote of the game

"We're in your face. We're going after you. We have three goals. Attack. Attack. Attack."

— Head coach Theresa Grentz in reference to Illinois' defensive schemes