Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Winning Streaks
The Illini women's volleyball team is on an 11-game winning streak, after defeating #15 Michigan and Michigan State last weekend. Ranked #5, the Illini will put their longest winning streak in 17 years to the test at #1 Penn State this Friday night.
And Penn State has a very impressive streak of their own going -- 90 straight matches. The Nittany Lions are riding the longest volleyball winning streak in NCAA history, and the 3rd longest winning streak of any NCAA sport.
Last weekend the Illini broke in a new libero, as sophomore Rachel Feldman took over for Ashley Edinger, who ended her Illini career with a torn ACL. Feldman had an excellent debut match, with 19 digs and successful returns on 41 serves against Michigan.
Michigan took the first set, but the Illini rallied from 5 points down to take a one point lead before losing 27-25. But the Kevin Hambly's girls won the next 3 sets to win the match. They followed this performance with a strong win against Michigan State -- the last team to beat the Illini.
Junior Laura DeBruler earned Big Ten Player of the Week honors for her performance over the weekend, and she is second in the conference in both kills and points per set.
DeBruler and her team will face a tough challenge Friday Night in State College. But they are firmly in second place in the Big Ten. They will follow up the Penn State match with a Sunday match at Ohio State. That game will be broadcast as a taped game on the Big Ten Network Sunday night. These girls are worth watching. Seriously.
Go Illini!
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And Penn State has a very impressive streak of their own going -- 90 straight matches. The Nittany Lions are riding the longest volleyball winning streak in NCAA history, and the 3rd longest winning streak of any NCAA sport.
Last weekend the Illini broke in a new libero, as sophomore Rachel Feldman took over for Ashley Edinger, who ended her Illini career with a torn ACL. Feldman had an excellent debut match, with 19 digs and successful returns on 41 serves against Michigan.
Michigan took the first set, but the Illini rallied from 5 points down to take a one point lead before losing 27-25. But the Kevin Hambly's girls won the next 3 sets to win the match. They followed this performance with a strong win against Michigan State -- the last team to beat the Illini.
Junior Laura DeBruler earned Big Ten Player of the Week honors for her performance over the weekend, and she is second in the conference in both kills and points per set.
DeBruler and her team will face a tough challenge Friday Night in State College. But they are firmly in second place in the Big Ten. They will follow up the Penn State match with a Sunday match at Ohio State. That game will be broadcast as a taped game on the Big Ten Network Sunday night. These girls are worth watching. Seriously.
Go Illini!
Labels: Illini volleyball, Laura DeBruler, Rachel Feldman
# posted by Alma Mater : 9:17 PM
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
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Highs and Lows
Illini linebacker Martez Wilson is out of the hospital after his surgery following his receiving two stab wounds early last Friday morning. Coach Zook said he was proud of Wilson for going to the aid of a former teammate. But the initial news on the ESPN ticker on Friday didn't reflect well on the Illini program. Wilson is expected to recover, and as the third leading tackler on the team, he could play a key role next year. I'm glad he's ok, but the incident is a low.
The Illini women's volleyball team didn't make it past the Sweet 16 last weekend, but that still marked their best season in five years, and outside hitter Laura DeBruler was named Second-Team All-American. Definitely a high.
Kentucky transfer Alex Legion is still expected to make his Illini debut somewhere in the rotation Saturday against Detroit. Sounds like he's been working hard and has a lot to offer -- but remember that he hasn't played in a game for quite a while. Let's hope this is a high...
Go Illini!
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The Illini women's volleyball team didn't make it past the Sweet 16 last weekend, but that still marked their best season in five years, and outside hitter Laura DeBruler was named Second-Team All-American. Definitely a high.
Kentucky transfer Alex Legion is still expected to make his Illini debut somewhere in the rotation Saturday against Detroit. Sounds like he's been working hard and has a lot to offer -- but remember that he hasn't played in a game for quite a while. Let's hope this is a high...
Go Illini!
Labels: Alex Legion, Laura DeBruler, Martez Wilson
# posted by Alma Mater : 9:16 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
