Jessica Gardella (17), Sarah Konovodoff (2), Paige Gardella (11) and their Rosary teammates hope to find success in the IHSA Class 2A tournament later this season. Rosary is among the schools that joined the exodus from Class 3A to 2A this season thanks to the IHSA’s new enrollment policy. But was it really that much of a blessing?Sure, Rosary will avoid perennial nemesis and Metro Suburban Conference foe St. Francis in the playoffs. Nazareth is out of the picture, too. “We’re excited about the opportunity to play in 2A this year...
McGuire, Benet erase big second-set deficit to top Minooka, win Scholastic Cup
Benet rallied from a 19-14 deficit in Game 2 to defeat Hailey Sperling (2) and Minooka in the championship match of the St. Charles East Scholastic Cup at the Great Lakes Volleyball Center in Aurora. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) No one expected Benet to blow past Minooka 25-9 in the first game of their championship match Saturday at the St. Charles East Scholastic Cup hosted by the Great Lakes Volleyball Center in Aurora.And likely no one expected Benet to find itself trailing 5-0, 10-5 and 19-14 in the second game. “I think the other team step...
The Latest 1st Alliance Volleyball Club/Illprepvb.com Boys High School Rankings
Eric Epenesa and Edwardsville will host Southwestern Conference rival O'Fallon Tuesday. (photos by Dave Ruggles) Marty Jepsen and Marist repeated as Smack Attack champions, beating Glenbard West in the finals for the second time in two years. Meanwhile, Oak Park defeated Barrington to win the Richard Griesheim Invitational at Downers Grove South, and Palatine only dropped one set while winning its own invite. Next up: the Lincoln-Way East tournament. Here are the top 25 teams heading into Week Six. (previous ranking in parentheses...
Fairfield Mule-Kickoff Tourney
Saturday, August 31 ...
Minooka stuns Lockport with late rally; Benet closes out Joliet Catholic
Lockport's Leena Ajibola (shown here earlier in the season against Plainfield North) had 7 kills for the Porters, but it wasn't enough as Minooka erased an 18-10 deficit in Game 2 to win the match in three sets. )Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comMinooka was down, but not out.For a set-and-two-thirds, Lockport had its way with the host Indians. It appeared that the Porters were well on the way to a breakthrough victory. Not so fast. The Indians regrouped and ended the last two sets with combined bursts...
Sandburg, Stefanon twins stop Nazareth at Illprepvb.com/Crimson Classic
Sandburg celebrates a point during its semifinal win over Minooka Saturday at the Illprepvb.com/Crimson Classic hosted by Plainfield North. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) Sandburg outside hitter Shelby Stefanon is not afraid to tell her setter when she’s feeling it.Especially since one of the setters in Sandburg’s 6-2 offense is her twin sister, Julia.“Sometimes she's like, ‘I'm feeling it. Get me the ball,’” Julia said“Yeah, yesterday it was like, ‘Set me more,’” Shelby replied. Julia knew just where she wanted to go with Sandburg clinging to ...
Wednesday, September 18 results
Wednesday, September 18 results Kewanee's Josie DeBord and Tristan Nolan Dakota def. Aquin 25-13, 19-25, 25-20Dakota (15-1 overall, 3-0 in the Northwest Upstate Illini): Tabytha Toelke (22 kills, 5 assists, 1 block, 1 ace), Abi Schlueter (10 kills, 6 aces, 4 assists, 1 block), Laura Rankin (18 assists), Kaylyn Field (2 aces, 4 kills, 1 block), Casey Besse (2 kills, 2 blocks).Dakota coach Kim Toelke: “The girls came ready to play tonight. A little hiccup in the second set, but came back in the third with some outstanding hustle and ball c...
A difference-maker and class act, Jepsen is the 2019 Illprepvb.com Player of the Year
Marty Jepsen celebrates with his teammates after Marist won the 2019 IHSA Boys Volleyball championship. (Photo courtesy of Joe Hovanes) 2019 Illprepvb.com Player of the Year Marty Jepsen of Marist. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comMarist had just edged Glenbard West 25-21, 25-23 in a hard-fought IHSA championship match. The two teams congratulated each other after they received their medals.As the Marist players shook hands with her and her team, Glenbard West coach Christine Giunta-Mayer took time to give o...
Saturday, November 16 results
Illini Bluffs' Emma Hicks (13) tries to get past the Newark block during the Class 1A championship game Saturday in Normal. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Saturday, November 16 IHSA finalsat Redbird ArenaClass 1AThird placeAthens def. Norris City-Omaha-Enfield 24-26, 25-16, 25-9Norris City-Omaha-Enfield (38-4 overall): Mattie Wells (22 assists, 12 digs), Hollan Everett (1 dig), Evie Duncan (8 kills, 19 digs), Emilee Bishop (7 kills, 9 digs, 1 block), Sophie Neal (9 kills, 1 assist, 9 digs), Kennedy Cook (4 kills, 1 assist, 3 digs), Abby Blac...
Richard Griesheim Invitational at Downers Grove South
Thursday, April 18 Results At Downers Grove South No. 10 Loyola def. No. 21 Glenbard East 25-13, 25-15Loyola (17-4 overall): Jack Howard (12 kills), Henry Clmons (8 kills), Gavin Elliott (3 kills, 2 blocks), John Hitt (24 assists), Ryan Merk (16 digs, 3 aces). No. 10 Loyola def. Evanston 25-21, 25-12Loyola (18-4 overall): Jack Howard (13 kills), Henry Clemons (10 kills), Gavin Elliott (4 kills), John Hitt (21 assists), Ryan Merk (14 digs, 2 aces). No. 17 Barrington def. Naperville North 25-17, 25-19No. 17 Barrington def. Gle...