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Laura DeBruler had 577 kills, third most in school history, during the 2007 season.
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Jan. 24, 2008
Champaign, Ill. - The Collegiate Volleyball Update (CVU) has selected Illinois outside hitter Laura DeBruler as one of 15 "Rising Stars" from the 2007 volleyball season, signifying the top 15 freshmen in the nation.
DeBruler had 28 kills in her Illinois debut vs. Bowling Green, the only player even to reach double figures in her first match as an Illini and proceeded to lead all freshman nationally (22nd overall) in kills per game. She finished the season with 577 kills, the third most by any player in Illinois history and tallied 15 matches with at least 20 kills, tied for second most in a season in school history. Her 4.89 kills not only led all freshmen in the nation, but also the Big Ten Conference while her 5.86 points per game are also tops in the league. In the process, she becomes just the fourth Illini all time to lead the conference in kills. DeBruler also ranked second on the Illinois team with 285 digs while being named to three All-Tournament teams, Honorable Mention All-Big Ten and to the Big Ten's All-Freshman team in 2007.
CVU.com named Texas outside hitter Juliann Faucette as its freshmen of the year. The rest of the 15-member list of "Rising Stars" includes outside hitter Jovana Blazeski of Florida A&M, middle hitter Amy Benz of Cleveland State, setter Elizabeth Fleming of Marshall, middle blocker Lindsay Fletemier of Dayton, setter Jenna Hagglund from Washington, outside hitter Alix Klineman from Stanford, libero Allison Nieters of Iona, outside hitter Becky Perry from Washington, right side hitter Nicki Scripko of Liberty, libero Kacie Wikierak from Denver, middle blocker Felicia Willoughby of Virginia Tech, middle hitter Arielle Wilson from Penn State, and outside hitter Megan York or St. Mary's.
