Picnic badminton is fun.  Young kids, old geezers, pregnant women - anyone can play. 

     After some fried chicken and a couple of drinks - get out there.  The object of picnic badminton is to see how many times you can keep the shuttlecock going back and forth over the net.

     Not so with competitive badminton.  This game requires excellent hand-eye coordination, jumping ability, flexibility, strength, endurance, strategy, and, in doubles, an ability to cover the court with your partner.

     Sound familiar?   Well, of course, those are many of the same qualities and skills that it takes to be a good player in competitive volleyball.

     Laura DeBruler player high school badminton at Downers Grove North High School and was a member of a team that won the state championship.

     Late Saturday afternoon Laura's 31 kills in Illinois' improbable and amazing comeback victory over 11th ranked Oregon 14-25, 16-25, 26-24, 25-21, 15-13 helped earn her the State Farm Illini Classic MVP award.

     The 5-set win was so sweet for Don Hardin's team, especially when you consider what happened in 2007.   Last year's team lost 14 matches and nine of those came in 5-games and another in four.    Laura led all freshmen nationally and was 22nd overall in kills per game at 4.89.

     I'm sure Laura DeBruler didn't learn to play volleyball on a badminton court, but it sure didn't hurt.   The athleticism required for both is transferable.