Oct. 22, 2008

Champaign, Ill. - The No. 19 Illinois volleyball team dominated the No. 18 Purdue Boilermakers, 3-0 (25-18, 25-20, 25-21), in a midweek showdown at Huff Hall on Wednesday night to take sole possession of third place in the Big Ten. With the win, the Illini improve to 15-5 overall and 6-3 in the conference, while the Boilermakers fall to 16-5 overall and 5-4 in the conference.

Sophomore outside hitter Laura DeBruler had one of her best matches in her young career, tallying 19 kills and seven digs while hitting a robust .395. DeBruler was especially dominating the first set, hitting .529 with 10 kills. That marked the second straight match in which DeBruler had double digits in kills in the opening frame.

"Laura did a really nice job of mixing it up," said Illinois head coach Don Hardin. "She is becoming experienced at when to go after it and when to do something different. She's really getting that down."

The middle was really connecting as well. Sophomore Johannah Bangert, second in the nation in blocks per set, added five block assists and eight kills for the Orange and Blue, all while hitting .727. Sophomore Abby Nelson was not far behind at.636 with eight kills while freshman Michelle Bartsch hit .316 with seven kills while teaming with Bangert on three blocks. Hillary Haen in a dual role as outside hitter and setter notched 23 assists and eight digs for Illinois.

"This was the best offensive performance we had all season," Hardin said.. "Our middles connected well. Jo and Michelle on the block were amazing."

DeBruler set the tone early with her big swing. After the Boilermakers tied it up at 14-all, the Orange and Blue stormed back, going on an 11-4 run to take the first set, 25-18. The Illini hit a staggering .389 compared to just .100 from the Boilermakers.

In a second set that saw 11 tie scores and six lead changes, the Illini edged the Boilermakers, 25-20, taking nine of the last 12 points. Behind the powerful Illini block of Bangert and Bartsch, the Orange and Blue continued their hot hitting in the match with a .433 mark in the second set.

The Illini wasted no time after the break taking care of business in the third set, 25-21. Both teams traded points back and forth throughout the set, with the Boilermakers inching within one point at 21-20. However, the Illini were able to hold on taking the next two points. At their second match point 24-21, the Illini finished off Purdue behind a forceful kill from Bangert.

Purdue came in as one of the best serving teams in the conference, but Illinois was only aced twice. The Boilers got things going a little offensively in the second set, hitting .323, but the Illini defense was up the task in the sets one and three, allowing just a .100 and .190 clip. Ashley Edinger moved to within 44 digs of the Illini's all-time digs record with 15 Wednesday night.

Danita Merlau and Stephanie Lynch led the way for Purdue with 10 kills apiece.

The Orange and Blue are back in action as they head to East Lansing, Mich., on Friday, Oct. 24 for a Big Ten showdown with the Michigan State Spartans.