Jakubowski goes the extra mile for inexperienced Huntley team

Seton Hall-bound setter Taylor Jakubowski has led Huntley to a 18-2 record despite the graduation of seven seniors and several key starters from last year's 35-4 team. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) (Editor's note: This story originally ran on October 9, 2019) Huntley's 5-foot-8 senior setter Taylor Jakubowski. Although no exacting scientific study has been published on the subject, some estimates put the distance a setter runs during a match at anywhere from a half-mile to three miles.Then there are days where a setter may feel like the...

Belvidere North, Sterling get acquainted before potential supersectional showdown

Defending Class 3A champion Sterling may have to get past Belvidere North in the supersectional if the Golden Warriors hope to repeat ... provided both teams make it that far. Last year, behind Air Force recruit Brooklyn Messenger, Belvidere North went 34-4 including 18-0 in the NIC-10 before running afoul of St. Charles East in a Class 4A sectional semifinal.But like what seems to be a countless number of schools affected by the IHSA’s enrollment reclassification, Belvidere North dropped down to Class 3A this season.So instead of teams li...

Wednesday, October 16 results

Elgin Academy seniors Madison Noble-Stas, Caelinn Leahy, Emma Hanson, Elizabeth Sporina, Lauren Rana and Marina Aristodemo are pictured with their coaches Dawn Gross and Debra Marusich after celebrating senior night by raising money for breast cancer research. Wednesday, October 16 results   Cristo Rey def. Holy Trinity 25-15,  25-17Cristo Rey (7-3).Holy Trinity (10-7). Elgin Academy def. Alden Hebron 25-16, 25-19Elgin Academy (13-16 overall, 3-4 in the Independent School League): Maddy Beauchamp (11 digs, 3 aces), Lauren Rana (5 digs,...

Tuesday, October 15 results

Tuesday, October 15 resultsArcola def. Blue Ridge 26-24, 25-23Arcola: Hallee Gauna (5 kills, 2 digs, 2 blocks), Ariana Warren (4 kills, 1 block), Abby Goad (5 kills), Lizzy Budd (2 kills, 1 dig, 7 assists), Astrid Obregon (1 kill, 1 dig, 9 assists).  Arthur-Lovington Atwood-Hammond def. Villa Grove 25-21, 21-25, 25-21Arthur-Lovington Atwood-Hammond (10-17 overall, 2-5 in the Little Okaw Valley): Abby Abercrombie (2 digs), Addi Tinkle (2 aces, 1 kill, 1 block, 5 digs, 4 assists), Kaylee Yaekel (6 kills, 3 blocks, 2 digs), Mackenzie Bowles (18 k...

A superstar spouse and help from a ‘guardian angel’ have Harlan back in the game

Dave Harlan (left) said the outpouring of love and support from the volleyball community following his heart attack made him feel "outstanding." Dave Harlan worked the Silver division of the Asics Challenge at Brother Rice. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Dave Harlan could feel a little discomfort in his left arm when he arrived at his Indian Head Park home after officiating a match between Plainfield Central and visiting Nazareth on August 27. But he shook it off.“My wife asked me, ‘What's wrong with you?’” Harlan said. “I said, ‘Nothing. I'm O...

Monday, October 14 results

Monday, October 14 resultsElgin Academy def. Christian Liberty Academy 25-19, 25-19Elgin Academy (12-15 overall, 3-3 in the Independent School League): Elizabeth Sporina (16 assists, 5 blocks), Annie Wittmeyer (5 kills), Marina Aristodemo (4 kills, 2 blocks), Maddy Beauchamp (15 digs), Madison Noble-Stas (3 aces, 4 digs, 4 kills), Caelinn Leahy (4 blocks, 3 kills).Herscher def. Pontiac 25-12, 25-15Herscher (25-1 overall): Mady Rogers (5 kills, 7 digs), Claudia Huston (6 kills, 3 aces), Jordan Pierce (12 assists), Olivia Ruder (4 digs, 3 aces)....

Fall Harvest Festival, Autumnfest will test Michio Chicago/Illprepvb.com’s best

Six-foot-2 junior middle hitter Storm Suhre (17) and Edwardsville went 3-2 at last weekend's Scholastic Cup tournament hosted by St. Charles East at the Great Lakes Volleyball Center in Aurora. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) Class 4A powerhouses Benet and Marist headline the two major tournaments in the Chicago area this weekend. Marist (25-2) is the top seed at the 30-team Fall Harvest Festival sponsored by Illprepvb.com at Plainfield Central beginning Friday with pool play at Plainfield North and the host school. Plainfield North is the No...