Illini volleyball 3-0, ranked 19th

September 2, 2008 2:57 PM

Cary Frye

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.

fightingillini.com | 12 photos from the UNC match

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Filed under: Illini Volleyball, Illinois Loyalty Photos, North Carolina Tar Heels