To get us in the holiday mood, sports editor Jim Rossow picked out 12 of his favorite stories that ran in the past five years in The News-Gazette. No. 10 is staff writer Bob Asmussen's tag-along with former Illini golfer D.A. Points.

Jeff Huth spent months researching how much Illinois has spent on recruiting in recent years. He found that across the board, the Illini are major players on the recruiting scene.

CHAMPAIGN – If you haven't seen Laura DeBruler, the slam-bang kill-shot artist from Downers Grove, you'll get your last chance Friday and maybe Saturday at Huff Hall.

PARK RIDGE — The Illinois volleyball team swept Big Ten player of the week awards on Monday, with Laura DeBruler earning the honor on offense and Johannah Bangert being recognized on defense.

DeBruler recorded double-doubles in kills and digs in two matches last week. The sophomore outside hitter had 17 kills and 17 digs against Purdue before racking up 21 and 12, respectively, versus Michigan State. The award is DeBruler’s third this season and fifth of her career.
Bangert had nine block assists against the Boilermakers, helping limit Purdue to a .199 hitting percentage.

Former Illinois golfer D.A. Points will return to the PGA Tour in 2009 after finishing in the top 25 on the Nationwide Tour’s money list this season.
Points, who played on the PGA Tour in 2005 and 2006 said he hopes to be able to stick around.

“I’ve grown a lot. I have a better understanding of what is going to make me better at my craft,” Points said. “Next year when I’m on the PGA Tour, hopefully I’ll be able to excel, not only to keep my card, but also win and become a great player out there.”

CHAMPAIGN — Illinois libero Ashley Edinger was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for the second consecutive week on Monday.

Edinger broke the Illinois career digs record Saturday in a win against Ohio State. The honor is her third in the last four weeks.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Katie Engel and Angela Bizzarri led the Illinois women’s cross-country team to fourth at the Big Ten championships on Sunday and earned first-team all-conference honors.
Engel finished sixth individually at 20 minutes, 48 seconds. Bizzarri was right behind in seventh at 20:52.

CHAMPAIGN – The Illinois volleyball team rebounded from Friday's five-set loss to Northwestern in style Sunday with a straight-set (27-25, 25-17, 25-22) win against No. 19 Wisconsin at Huff Hall.

Laura DeBruler led the charge offensively with 14 kills, while Johanna Bangert powered the defense with six blocks.