Sept. 1, 2008

Champaign, Ill. -

CBS Sports Network/AVCA Coaches poll in PDF Format

Illinois volleyball was rewarded both collectively and individually after an impressive run to the State Farm Illini Classic title over the weekend.

The Illini are ranked 19th nationally in the latest CBS Sports Network/AVCA Coaches poll after sweeping the three matches this weekend with victories over North Carolina, no. 23 New Mexico State and no. 11 Oregon. Illinois received 44 votes in the pre-season poll. This marks the first national ranking for Illinois since Nov. 8, 2004, when they were 25th.

The wins over NMSU and Oregon were the first over non-conference ranked opponents since the Illini defeated no. 1 USC on Sept. 11, 2004.

Outside hitter Laura DeBruler (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove North H.S.) was at the heart of Illinois' success, earning State Farm Illini Classic MVP. Today the Big Ten recognized those efforts by naming DeBruler as Big Ten co-Player of the Week.

DeBruler averaged 5.4 kills per set to lead Illinois to the tournament's title. The sophomore recorded a double-double in each match with 14 kills and 15 digs against the Tar Heels, 20 kills and 11 digs vs. the Aggies and 31 kills and 12 saves against the Ducks. Against Oregon, DeBruler led the Illini back from a two-set deficit, putting down 22 of her 31 kills in the final three stanzas. In set 4, she recorded nine kills, including six of the final nine Illinois points to key the rally that saw the Illini score 11 of the final 13 points in the set. On the weekend DeBruler totaled 65 kills on a .302 hitting percentage with 38 total digs (3.2 dps) and 11 total blocks (0.9 dps).

The award is the third of DeBruler's young career. Penn State senior outside-hitter Nicole Fawcett joins DeBruler with the honor after the top-ranked Nittany Lions toppled no. 12 Hawaii and no. 6. UCLA.

DeBruler leads all-big hitters in kills per set after the first week of play while the Illini are second in blocks as a team at 2.92, paced by sophomore Johannah Bangert, who is second in the league with 1.92 blocks per set.

Illinois makes the biggest jump into the national rankings. Wichita State and Michigan are also new to the poll and no. 22 and no. 25, respectively. That gives the Big Ten six ranked teams - Penn State (1), Wisconsin (10), Minnesota (12), Purdue (18), Illinois (19) and Michigan (25).

Nebraska moves up from no. 7 to no. 2 after defeating Stanford and USC. The Illini meet Stanford, which dropped only one spot to no. 3, Saturday at the Billikin Invitational in St. Louis.