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Illinois middle blocker Ali Bastianelli earned Defensive Player of the Week honors in the Big Ten’s first weekly awards of the season Monday afternoon.
The junior averaged 2.7 kills and 2.5 blocks per set over the weekend, leading the Illini to the title at the season-opening Bobcat Classic. Bastianelli was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player after recording a career-high 17 kills against Montana State.
Bastianelli won Defensive Player of the Week honors twice over her first two seasons.