18 USA division champions SPVB 18 Alpha went 9-2 and won the 18 USA division of the 2018 USAV Boys Junior National Volleyball Championships in Phoenix, Arizona. It was the Aurora-based club's first boys title at BJNCs. "(Head coach Victoria Vandeleur) and I both wore pink pants," joked assistant coach Susie Nelson. "I think that's what clinched it." Team members are Edward Jakubauskas, Parker Nelson, Jakub Migus, Cameron Menini, Matthew Russo, John Kenny, Petar Lumovic, Jeremy Cardenas, Ryan Swartz, Matthew Nealon, John Davis and Andr...
Adversity amps up for bigger, brighter future
New personnel. New facility. New energy. Founded by former USA Women’s National Sitting Volleyball and USAV CAP Level 5 coach Mike Hulett, Adversity Volleyball Club has been around for more than 20 years. But the Vernon Hills-based club is getting a complete overhaul from top to bottom. “We plan to take over the world,” said Adversity’s new boys’ program director Keith Kujawa, half-kidding and half-serious. “We have a lot of great things that will be happening here now and over the next few years.” The “overhaul” began recently with the hi...
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 ...
Sandburg beats Sandburg (that’s no misprint) at Palos Courts; Lockport takes third
Sandburg Blue knew what to do Thursday at Palos Courts. By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.com As he has done the past few years, Sandburg volleyball coach David Vales entered two teams in the Palos Courts Summer League. His logic to how he divided them was simple. “I split our team down the middle,” he said. “I'm constantly going against tough teams in the sectional, and sometimes in the past I'd go all in on the summer league. But with 10 players back from last season’s team, how would I know how well they will play together ...
Marist guts out win over Minooka in 4A; Belleville Althoff, St. Thomas More, Payson Seymour also win
Class 3A champion Belleville Althoff Savannah Thompson never had a doubt. “Honestly, in the back of our heads there was no doubt,” said Marist’s 5-foot-11 senior outside hitter. “We had no doubt. The whole time I knew the other 17 girls, we wanted it just as bad and it feels freaking great to do right now, right here with these girls.” Thompson had 14 kills and 13 digs, Molly Murrihy added 32 assists and Maggie Meyer had 9 kills as Marist (41-1) defeated Minooka with a gutty 22-25, 25-22, 25-15 victory in the IHSA Cl...