Bartsch, DeBruler power Illini sweep

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Michelle Bartsch hit a career-high .812, and Laura DeBruler had a double-double, leading No. 14 Illinois to a 27-25, 25-15, 25-20 victory against Ohio on Saturday in the Purdue Active Ankle Classic volleyball tournament.

Bartsch, a sophomore right-side hitter, belted 13 kills in 16 swings and did not commit an error. Her attack percentage was the highest by an Illini this season, surpassing the .588 by freshman middle blocker Erin Johnson on Friday against Louisville.

"At times, we played the best volleyball we have all year," Illinois coach Kevin Hambly said. "We got a lot of great individual performances this weekend, but we are really becoming a well-rounded team as everyone learns her role.

"Michelle Bartsch was ridiculous today and had astronomical numbers for an outside hitter."

DeBruler, a junior outside hitter, registered her third double-double of the season with 12 kills and a match-high 15 digs.

Illinois (8-1) committed only eight hitting errors in 88 swings en route to a .364 attack percentage. Ohio (8-4) hit .138, including .025 during a 12-error third set.

Bartsch led the Illini to a 7-5 advantage in blocks with one solo block and three assists. UI middle blocker Johannah Bangert contributed four block assists.

Illinois finished the tournament 2-0 while extending its winning streak to six.

DeBruler and junior setter Hillary Haen were named to the all-tournament team. DeBruler totaled 31 kills and 23 digs, while Haen recorded 79 assists.

Illinois opens its Big Ten slate at 7 p.m. Friday against Ohio State at Huff Hall.

In men's tennis:

Illinois sweeps singles. Illinois went 8-0 in singles, including two victories against ranked opponents, during the second day of the Olympia Fields/Fighting Illini Invitational at Olympia Fields.

Illini sophomore Dennis Nevolo, ranked No. 24, defeated No. 8 Jean-Yves Aubone of Florida State, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (4). UI senior Marek Czerwinski, ranked 97th, topped No. 79 Carl Sundberg of Miami (Fla.) 2-6, 7-5, 6-3.

Illinois junior Connor Roth remained undefeated in singles for the tournament, beating two Notre Dame opponents. Illini classmate Abe Souza also went 2-0 against Irish foes.

The tourney concludes today with singles in the morning and doubles in the afternoon.

In men's golf:

Illini stay in mix. Illinois fell to a share of eighth place in the second round of the Olympia Fields/Fighting Illini Invitational at Olympia Fields but remains in the mix of a tight 15-team race.

After beginning the day in a tie for fourth, the Illini shot a 14-over 294 for a 587 total. Illinois enters today's final round 2 strokes out of the top five and 6 shots shy of second place.

"Today's round kind of felt like yesterday's, and it showed with a similar score," said UI assistant coach Zach Guthrie. "Our ball striking hasn't been where it needs to be, and with a course this difficult, that has meant relying on our short game to get up and down and save pars."

Junior Scott Langley again was Illinois' top scorer, shooting a 2-over 72 on the 7,205-yard Olympia Fields North Course. At 2-over 142, Langley is tied for seventh, 3 strokes behind co-leaders Max Kieffer of Florida and Seath Lauer of Florida State.

Illini sophomore Luke Guthrie is tied for 23rd at 147 after shooting a 74.

"We still have the mind-set that we want to win this golf tournament," Zach Guthrie said. "There's no doubt that with a solid round tomorrow, we can move up the leaderboard."

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