Volleyball star for No. 8 Illini tears ACL

CHAMPAIGN — An MRI has confirmed a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament for Illinois senior All-American Laura DeBruler, a volleyball star from Downers Grove who will miss the remainder of her record-setting season, ending her collegiate career.

DeBruler injured her knee making a play at Michigan Saturday night, which resulted in her 12th kill of the night. DeBruler ends her college career ranked first in kills (1,833) and attacks (4,806) and seventh in digs (1,117) all-time at Illinois. In addition, her 36 20-kill matches are most in school history.

DeBruler is a two-time All-American, earning second team honors in 2008 and first-team honors in 2009, just the fourth Illinois player to be named to the first team. She was a two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection and earned eight Big Ten Player of the Week honors, including on Oct. 4 following a pair of 20-kill match performances in victories over Wisconsin and Northwestern.

DeBruler was also named to 12 all-tournament teams in her career, including earning MVP of three of those tournaments.

“My initial feeling is just heartbreak for Laura, said Illinois head coach Kevin Hambly. “It is hard to see any player's career end on terms other than their own. But it is especially hard to see it happen to a player that has meant so much to this program, the community, the fans, her teammates and staff, not to mention what she has meant to me personally.

On a positive note, Hambly added, “Laura's playing career will not be over if she doesn't want it to be as she will be able to play beyond college without question.