Illinois volleyball head coach Don Hardin sees Lisa Argabright's Co-Big Ten Player of the Week Award as the first of, potentially, many awards this season.

"I think she is an All-American candidate," Hardin said. "She thinks like one. She plays with the intensity of one. She has the skill of one. She certainly has the impact on the other team as one."

Argabright, a senior middle blocker, earned her award while recording 33 kills and 15 blocks in two victories over then No. 11 Penn State and Ohio State. Minnesota senior outside hitter Cassie Busse was the co-player of the week with Argabright.

For Argabright, earning future individual honors will depend on the play of the team as much as her play on the court.

"The awards come when the media is looking for someone to reward for a good performance," Hardin said. "She can't accomplish this on her own. Lisa needs to keep doing what Lisa does but it's up to the rest of us for her to get that honor. We all have to do well for her to get that honor."

Argabright covered her hands over her mouth in disbelief when she found out about being named Co-Player of the Week after practice. Teammates patted her on the back and screamed words of encouragement when assistant head coach Anne Kordes announced it to the rest of the team.

"I'm just kind of shocked and excited," Argabright said, who hit over .400 in both weekend matches. "I didn't really expect it. I really don't know what to say."

When being an All-American is mentioned Argabright does know what to say.

"If people see my ability in that light then I am truly honored," Argabright said. "Because the people who have been in that All-American position have been tremendous athletes that I have looked up to in the past."

Illinois' last All-American was Erin Borske, a first team All-American, in 1995. Argabright is second in the conference in attack percentage (.398), fifth in blocks (1.38) and leads the Illini in kills (3.85).

While Argabright has the stats for individual honors, her teammates feel her leadership gives her an edge on her competition.

"She has the leadership to be that," Illinois junior outside hitter Jess Belter said. "I think everyone looks to her as that person in that role. We would support her if she got that. Any award that she gets is well deserved.

On the court, Illinois has done its part to help Argabright in every way possible. The Illini are in second place in the Big Ten and have beat Penn State, the conference leader.

Sophomore Rachel VanMeter and Belter have developed as outside hitters to give the Illini more offensie punch.

"Now that we're starting to win we should be earning some respect," Argabright said. "We deserve the recognition."

With the Illini getting more recognition, so will Argabright.