No. 5 Illini volleyball inks 3 recruits

The Illinois volleyball program has always been a tight-knit family, and that family is about to welcome three new additions for the coming season.

The No. 5 Illinois volleyball team announced Wednesday its signees for the class of 2010, and head coach Kevin Hambly thinks that the recruits could have an immediate effect on the team when they arrive on campus.

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Kevin Hambly on Illini volleyball's class of 2010 

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“This class may prove to be the best class we’ve had,” Hambly said. “Potentially all three of the players could play their freshman year. The level of competition in our gym is going to be really, really high. That’s what you need for us to take the next step as a program.”

The standout of the group is Anna Dorn from Munster, Ind. The 6-foot-3 middle blocker is ranked No. 6 nationally, according to prepvolleyball.com, in this recruiting class, the highest ever for an Illinois recruit.

The two other recruits see the Illini branch out from their typical in-state recruiting, signing Jennifer Bonilla and Jazmine Orozco from Hambly’s home state of California. Hambly had his doubts about the two coming from sunny California to the cornfields of Illinois, but their compatibility with the team’s culture sealed the deal.

“Both of those guys, when they called me, I was like ‘Don’t waste my time, California kids aren’t going to come out to the cornfields,’” Hambly said.

Both players showed their commitment to come to the cornfields and play for Illinois, though, and will join Dorn in the class of 2010.

Bonilla, a 5-foot-9 libero, is ranked No. 60 in the recruiting class and will have big shoes to fill with senior Ashley Edinger graduating.

Outside hitter Orozco joins the Illini ranked No. 33 in her recruiting class. Similar to Bonilla, Orozco could step right into the team with senior outside hitter Kylie McCulley graduating this season.

“I could see Jazmine stepping in and replacing Kylie right away. She’s that kind of player,” Hambly said. “We brought Jennifer in because we wanted to replace Ashley, and she’s just got so much experience in that position, more so than anyone else in the country.”

The team is already excited about what the recruits will bring to the team next season.

“All three of them are going to be awesome contributors,” junior Laura DeBruler said. “They might be one of the strongest classes who came through here. I’m excited that I get to be here when they’re going to be here and I’ll get to play with them for one year. I’m excited that they decided to choose Illinois as their home.”

The new recruits won’t arrive on campus until the fall; however, that hasn’t stopped the family ties from already beginning to form.

“We have three new girls coming in, and they’ve all been on campus before, I’ve met all of them, hung out with them,” junior Johannah Bangert said. “I think they’ll fit in personally with us as a team and fit into our culture. But also, on the volleyball court they’re all three really good athletes and great volleyball players, so it’ll just keep this program running in the right direction.”