BIG TEN RELEASE
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Following an impressive start to the 2017 season, Fighting Illini volleyball junior Ali Bastianelli earned the year's first Big Ten Conference Defensive Player of the Week honor, the league announced on Monday (August 28) afternoon.
She collects her third career conference defensive player of the week accolade after earning the honor once each of the past two seasons.
Bastianelli led Illinois to the Bobcat Classic Championship with the Illini posting a 3-0 record in the opening weekend with wins over Gonzaga, host Montana State and Air Force.
The middle blocker was named the tournament MVP after totaling 27 kills on a .558 hitting percentage, 25 blocks and nine digs. She helped UI out-block its opponents, 42-9, while also holding the three teams to a combined .050 hitting percentage on the weekend.
Tournament Highlights:
- Posted nine kills on 11 swings and no errors for an .818 hitting percentage to go along with nine blocks, including two solo stuffs against Gonzaga.
- Notched a career-high 17 kills on 25 attacks and only two errors for a .600 hitting percentage as well as a match-high nine blocks against the tournament host Montana State.
- Led the Illini with seven blocks against Air Force.
Bastianelli and the Illini continue nonconference tournament action next weekend when they travel to Louisville, Ky., for the Cardinal Classic on September 1-2 in Cardinal Arena.
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