By Randy Whalen Special to Illprepvb.com As advertised. In a matchup between two teams that have combined to win the past five IHSA championships, No. 1-ranked Glenbard West pulled away down the stretch Thursday to defeat Lincoln-Way East 22-25, 25-21, 25-22, in a scintillating match before a pack-the-place crowd in Glen Ellyn. Ben Harrington (16 kills, 6 digs, 3 blocks, ace) led the way for Glenbard West (2-0). But the junior outside hitter had plenty of help down the stretch as the Hilltoppers rallied for the final 4 points. ...

(Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy Whalen Special to Illprepvb.com Before the Marist boys’ volleyball team kicked off its season, there was one bit of business that took place on the court – a ring ceremony for the last fall’s Marist girls volleyball team, which captured its second consecutive state championship. Watching the girl’s team honored planted a seed for RedHawk boys’ star player, Marty Jepsen. “Oh yeah, oh my gosh, that would mean so much to me,” Jepsen said. “Not for me as an individual, but for the memories of being with...

Ceiling redirections, service errors and momentum swings. Tuesday’s nonconference matchup between St. Francis and host Wheaton North had them all. But the biggest factor may have been a seemingly innocent 5-point run by St. Francis midway through Game 2 following a Wheaton North service error that allowed the Spartans to break an 11-11 tie and put some distance between themselves and the Falcons. No. 10 St. Francis seized the momentum and scored 23 of the next 30 points on its way to a 19-25, 25-17, 25-19 win over No. 20 Wheaton N...