Illinois` best volleyball team since 1988 was rewarded Wednesday when two of its players were chosen All-America.
Hitter Kirsten Gleis was named a first-team All-America by the American Volleyball Coaches Association, while teammate Tina Rogers made the second team.
Gleis, an outside hitter, joined the Fighting Illini this year as a transfer from the Netherlands, where she played for the Dutch Olympic team. She was a force both offensively and defensively, leading Illinois with 456 kills and 236 digs. She finished second on the team in hitting percentage
(.385), block assists (88) and aces (45).
Rogers, a junior hitter from Downstate Elkhart, set a school record with 67 service aces, shattering Mary Eggers` record by 17. The 6-foot-3-inch Rogers, the tallest woman athlete in school history, finished second on the team with 434 kills and third in digs (221) and hitting percentage (.341).
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