DeBruler named 1st team All-American

After leading the Illinois volleyball team to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament, junior outside hitter Laura DeBruler was named first team All-America. This is the second All-America honor for DeBruler, as she received second team last year.

DeBruler was an All-Big Ten selection and ranks among the top 15 in the nation in kills per set and points per set, and is also among the nation's leaders for hitting percentage.

DeBruler wasn't the only Illini honored. Sophomore right side hitter Michelle Bartsch, junior middle blocker Johannah Bangert and junior setter Hillary Haen were named honorable mention All-America.

With the four honorees, Illinois has now had 13 players receive some sort of All-America honors in the program's history.

Bartsch, who was also an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection earlier this season, had 15 kills for Illinois in the NCAA first round against IPFW and eight blocks in the second round against Dayton.

Bangert is the national leader in blocks with 1.58 per set. She was an All-Big Ten selection and tied the school single-match block assist record twice this season with 13.

Haen ranks 16th in the nation and second in the Big Ten with 11.42 assists per set and also earned All-Big Ten honors.

Seven Big Ten athletes were named first team All-America: DeBruler; Blair Brown, Alisha Glass, Megan Hodge and Arielle Wilson from Penn State; Lauren Gibbemeyer from Minnesota; and Lexi Zimmerman of Michigan.