Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Dig This
The 2009 Fighting Illini women's volleyball team showed off their heart and toughness in a come-from-behind win over Purdue last Friday. The match, televised on ESPN2 on Sunday, showed the Illini trailing the Boilers 2-1 before coming back to win the last two sets to take the match.
This week the Illini are ranked #10, and continue play in the Big Ten, which boasts 3 top-ten teams (Penn State #1, Minnesota #6).
And if you can catch a game, you should. These girls are fun to watch.
Junior Laura DeBruler can hit, and she is one of the team leaders. Johannah Bangert, also a junior, leads the Big Ten in blocks. Senior defensive specialist Ashley Edinger seems to dig out just about anything, and the entire team, although not as tall as some opponents, works really well together.
Head Coach Kevin Hambly is in his first year, taking over a strong program from Don Hardin, who spent 13 years building Illini volleyball. Hambly and his girls looked poised for a strong showing in the Big Ten.
And they definitely give Illini fans a team that's easy to cheer for. Their Wednesday match against Northwestern will be on the Big Ten Network. Seriously, check it out.
Go Illini!
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This week the Illini are ranked #10, and continue play in the Big Ten, which boasts 3 top-ten teams (Penn State #1, Minnesota #6).
And if you can catch a game, you should. These girls are fun to watch.
Junior Laura DeBruler can hit, and she is one of the team leaders. Johannah Bangert, also a junior, leads the Big Ten in blocks. Senior defensive specialist Ashley Edinger seems to dig out just about anything, and the entire team, although not as tall as some opponents, works really well together.
Head Coach Kevin Hambly is in his first year, taking over a strong program from Don Hardin, who spent 13 years building Illini volleyball. Hambly and his girls looked poised for a strong showing in the Big Ten.
And they definitely give Illini fans a team that's easy to cheer for. Their Wednesday match against Northwestern will be on the Big Ten Network. Seriously, check it out.
Go Illini!
Labels: Ashley Edinger, Illini volleyball, Johannah Bangert, Laura DeBruler
# posted by Alma Mater : 8:37 PM
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Showdown in Champaign
I'm not talking about Ohio State coming to Memorial Stadium. I'm talking about Penn State coming to Huff Hall. Friday, the #1 Penn State volleyball team brings their tie for the NCAA record win streak to Champaign for a chance to create a new win streak record.
And the #17 Illini are ready for them. Penn State has 52 consecutive match wins as they come to Champaign, where the Illini were very competitive in a 5-set loss last season. And the Illini will feature current Big Ten Player of the Week Laura DeBruler, and 2-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week Ashley Edinger.
Plus, the Illini have a fascinating history. In 2004, the USC Trojans brought a 52-match win streak to Huff Hall, where they lost to the then-#16 Illini.
This year, the Illini have been solid at home, with only 2 of their 6 losses at Huff Hall. And they have the best Illini record ever against ranked teams this year. All that to say it should be a great game. If you are in the Champaign area, check it out Friday night. If not, get a glimpse of a few highlights from recent home games. These girls are fun to watch!
Go Illini!
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And the #17 Illini are ready for them. Penn State has 52 consecutive match wins as they come to Champaign, where the Illini were very competitive in a 5-set loss last season. And the Illini will feature current Big Ten Player of the Week Laura DeBruler, and 2-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week Ashley Edinger.
Plus, the Illini have a fascinating history. In 2004, the USC Trojans brought a 52-match win streak to Huff Hall, where they lost to the then-#16 Illini.
This year, the Illini have been solid at home, with only 2 of their 6 losses at Huff Hall. And they have the best Illini record ever against ranked teams this year. All that to say it should be a great game. If you are in the Champaign area, check it out Friday night. If not, get a glimpse of a few highlights from recent home games. These girls are fun to watch!
Go Illini!
Labels: Ashley Edinger, Illini volleyball, Laura DeBruler
# posted by Alma Mater : 6:57 PM
