Windsor-Stewardson-Strasburg finished second in Class 1A last year, but the Stewardson-Strasburg school board voted not to renew the co-op with Windsor beyond the 2018-19 school year. School: BementConference: Little Okaw ValleyHead coach: Stephanie EcclesLast season’s highlights: 8-15 overall, 3-4 in conference, lost 25-13, 25-23 to top-seeded Broadlands (Heritage) in a Class 1A regional semifinal.Top returnees: 5-4 senior setter Tatum Auth (246 assists), 5-6 junior outside hitter Shelby Strack (67 kills, 344 digs).Top newcomers: 5-8 juni...
Illprepvb.com’s 150 (and more) players who gotta be seen in 2018
Here are 150-plus players who should be on everybody's "must-see" list during the 2018 girls high school season (class status as of Fall 2018 indicated): Loren Alberts, 6-0, Sr., RS/MB, HuntleyBrooke Amann, 5-11, Jr., OH, Woodstock NorthMaggie Bair, 6-2, Sr., MB, Glenbard SouthKennedy Bauer, 5-11, Sr., OH, WatsekaGigi Barr, 6-1, Jr., MH, YorkJoslyn Boyer, 5-6, Sr., L, Montini Cassidy Beshel, 6-0, Sr., OH, Grayslake CentralMaddie Blake, 6-0, Jr., OH, Crystal Lake CentralBreelyn Borum, 5-11, So., S, SterlingBrooklyn Borum, 6-1, So., OH, St...
Massac County developing chemistry; multi-sport athletes bolster Wheeling
Massac County is seeking its fifth regional title in the past six years.Illprepvb.com continues its coverage of the 2018 Illinois girls high school season with another set of team previews. School: CartervilleConference: Southern Illinois River-to-River (Mississippi)Head coach: Erika Lange Last season’s highlights: 13-20 overall, 3-7 in conference, lost 25-22, 25-23 to Herrin in a Class 3A regional quarterfinal.Top returnees: 5-9 senior outside hitter Ashlyn Mavigliano, 5-9 senior rightside hitter Anna Har...
Moline aims for another WB6 title; Charleston, NCOE look strong downstate
Moline has enjoyed a strong showing in the Great Lakes Summer League. Illprepvb.com continues its coverage of the 2018 Illinois girls high school season with another set of team previews. School: Andrew Conference: Southwest SuburbanHead coach: Emily Connolly Last season’s highlights: 12-15 overall, lost to Sandburg 25-14, 25-17 in a Class 4A regional semifinal.Top returnees: 5-10 junior outside hitter Brianna Haggerty, 5-7 junior libero Kylie Adams.Coach’s quote: “We have a very youn...
Harvest Christian wants more hardware; Barrington, Nazareth on the rise
Harvest Christian coach Mike Bui schedules for success in the postseason and it paid off with a fourth-place finish in the 2017 Class 2A state tournament. Illprepvb.com continues its coverage of the 2018 Illinois girls high school season with another set of team previews. School: Barrington Conference: Mid-Suburban WestHead coach: Michelle Jakubowski Last season’s highlights: 22-15 overall, 6-4 in conference, third at the Huntley invite, lost 25-14, 33-31 to Hersey in a Class 4A regional final.Top returnees: 6-2 senior outside hi...
Angels are back in the 3A fold; Winnebago banking on experience
After spending two seasons in Class 4A, Joliet Catholic Academy ranks among the favorites to win the 3A title in 2018. Illprepvb.com continues its coverage of the 2018 Illinois girls high school season with another set of team previews. School: Deerfield Conference: Central Suburban NorthHead coach: Blake Orlov (second year) Last season’s highlights: 10-23 overall, 2-8 in conference, lost 25-10, 25-14 to Maine West in a Class 4A regional quarterfinal.Top returnees: 6-1 middle hitter Annie Tompkins, 5-9 outside/rightside hitter ...
Montini has chip on shoulder; constant effort key for Cogs
Lincoln-Way East coach Kris Fiore, talking to his team at last year's Plainfield North tournament, must replace eight seniors including three Division I players. Illprepvb.com continues its coverage of the 2018 Illinois girls high school season with another set of team previews. School: Abingdon-AvonConference: PrairielandHead coach: Cindy Powell Last season’s highlights: 10-17 overall, lost 25-21, 25-14 to Illini West in Class 2A regional semifinal. Top returnees: 5-10 junior outside hitter Payton Florine (221 kills, 62 aces, 205 ...
Bolingbrook building behind Mitchem; Murphysboro looks to extend run
Natalie Mitchem (back row, center) is the centerpiece of the Bolingbrook program. Illprepvb.com continues its coverage of the 2018 Illinois girls high school season with a second set of team previews. School: BolingbrookConference: Southwest Suburban RedHead coach: Molly DeSerfLast season’s highlights: 7-21 overall, lost to Plainfield East 17-25, 25-23, 25-21 in Class 4A regional quarterfinals.Top returnees: 6-2 senior outside hitter Natalie Mitchem (255 kills, 22 aces, 94 digs), 5-10 junior setter Sara Magdziarz (341 assists, 47 ...
Perennial basketball power Trinity looks for a breakout season … in volleyball
The stars are lining up at one of the perennial basketball powerhouses in Chicago to have a breakout season …. in volleyball. Ken Uhlir, who took over the volleyball program at Trinity High School in River Forest five years ago, has three very good reasons to be excited heading into the 2018 season – Emma Jacobs, Haley Gohmann and Joseline Alvarez. Jacobs, a 6-foot junior, set a school record with 367 kills last season, including 14 in a Class 3A sectional semifinal loss to Montini. Uhlir said Jacobs is “Completely underrated and al...
Durand ‘family’ eyes return to state; Sandburg looking for a little love
Payson Seymour must replace its top two attackers as it seeks to defend its Class 1A state title. Illprepvb.com begins its coverage of the 2018 Illinois girls high school season with the first set of previews. School: Downers Grove SouthConference: West Suburban GoldHead coach: Kristee Conrad (1st year)Last season’s highlights: 18-17 overall, 5-0 in conference, lost to Wheaton North, 25-14, 25-10, in Class 4A regional semifinal.Top returnees: Six-foot all-conference outside hitter Lucy Dumford (High Point University), 5-9 junior ...