Nov. 24, 2008

Park Ridge, Ill. - After winning a pair of conference matches last week and clinching at least a tie for third in the Big Ten, no. 15 Illinois swept the conference's weekly volleyball honors. Sophomore outside hitter Laura DeBruler was named Big Ten Player of the Week, her third such honor of the season and fifth of her career, while sophomore middle blocker Johannah Bangert was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, the second BTPOW honor of the year for her.

DeBruler helped the Illini post two wins last week, including a four-set victory on the road against No. 18 Purdue on Wednesday. The sophomore posted two double-doubles in two matches and averaged 4.2 kills and 3.2 digs per set. Against the nationally ranked Boilermakers, DeBruler put down 17 kills and converted 17 digs. At home against Michigan State on Saturday, the Downers Grove, Ill., native recorded 21 kills and 12 digs in a five-set win. Her effort on Saturday marked her 27th career 20-kill match, which is just two off the Illinois school record. The sophomore already has 1,087 career kills, which is the second-highest total for an Illini player in her first two seasons. DeBruler, who ranks sixth in the nation in kills per set (4.59) has especially been potent down the stretch in matches, hitting .500 with seven kills in set four vs. Purdue and .600 with six kills in the decisive fifth set vs. Michigan State Saturday.

Bangert continues as the Big Ten and NCAA leader in blocks with 1.59. The middle blocker recorded nine block assists against the Boilermakers, helping hold the team to a sub-.200 hitting percentage. Against Michigan State on Saturday, Bangert once again recorded nine total blocks while keeping the Spartan attack under .200 for the match. With her efforts last week, the Washington, Mo., native is now tied for second on Illinois' all-time single-season blocks list with 177 and is 48 shy of the record set in 1984.

Illinois has won seven Big Ten Player of the Week honors this season, tying the 1992 team for the most in school history. Ashley Edinger has been Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week twice as well.

Illinois is 22-7 on the season, 13-5 in the Big Ten and finishes the regular season Friday and Saturday at Wisconsin and Northwestern, respectively.