« Volleyball 2010

Laura DeBruler

School
University of Illinois
Position
Outside Hitter
Major
Psychology
K
165
Pct
.191
SA
1
BS
3
BA
3
D
139

Classroom

Laura DeBruler is a senior majoring in psychology in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.  She currently has a 3.25 cumulative grade point average and is expected to graduate in May 2011.  DeBruler plans to pursue a career in coaching volleyball at the collegiate level following graduation.

Character

DeBruler is a role model for the younger players on the team and for young women in the community. She has been a leader on the team since she arrived on campus mostly because of her tireless work ethic and love of the game.  Recently she has developed in to a vocal and inspirational leader as she has matured as a student-athlete and person.  She is a tremendous teammate and completely unselfish as a player as well as unselfish with her time.  She has also been a leader in community service and is out several times a month in the community doing service for a variety of charities.

Community

DeBruler has been actively involved in the Illini’s Hometown Heroes community service program during her career.  She has volunteered extensively at the volleyball team’s adopted school, Westview Elementary School in Champaign, visiting with kids in the cafeteria, reading to classes, participating in an all school pep rally, family carnival,  and their annual Walk to School event. DeBruler has also mentored junior high school students, participated in the holiday party Illini student-athletes host each year for kids on the waiting list of Big Brothers Big Sisters, as well as making other visits to local schools and the Urbana Sweetcorn Festival.

Competition

DeBruler was named a first-team All-American in 2009 after being named a second-team All-American in 2008. She is an Academic All-Big Ten selection and was named to four All-Tournament teams in 2009, being named MVP of two of them. The Illini were ranked as high as No. 5 in the nation, finishing at No. 10 after a second straight trip to the Sweet 16. She is on pace to break Illinois’ career kills record and holds the record for most 20-kill matches in school history (34).