Maybe it was the Hawaiian shirts. “It was a good opener for us,” said Downers Grove North’s 6-foot-1 senior outside hitter Griffen Liszka. “Everyone played really well. I think we exceeded our team’s expectations for the first game.” But what about the Hawaiian shirts? “The whole Hawaiian thing is kind of the staple of our team,” he said. “But we usually do things for every match.” If the rest of the season goes as well for No. 17 Downers Grove North as its opener did Monday against visiting Naperville Central, the Trojans m...
Here is the Illprepvb.com list of the top 100 boys volleyball players in Illinois
(Photos by Dave Ruggles) Last year, Illprepvb.com put together a list of the top 50 boys players in Illinois. However, the growth of boys’ high school volleyball in Illinois and the explosion of club volleyball made reducing this list to only 50 names almost impossible. Still, there are certain to be a few names left off. But that is why they play the season. Those who have been (inadvertently, I assure you) excluded have nearly three months to ensure that they are not left off any postseason honors roster. So here they are … (with clu...
Sky High Adidas 17 Black wins WCPL 18/17s Division; Fusion 18 Red snares final bid
Sky High Adidas 17 Black won the Windy City Power League 18/17s Division after holding a slim 4-point lead over Michio Chicago 18 National heading into Sunday's final league date. Sky High 17 Adidas 17 Black wrapped up the Windy City Power League 18/17s Division title before it even took the floor Sunday. Sky High held a 4-point advantage over its nearest competitor, Michio Chicago 18 National, heading into the final day of league play Sunday at the 1st Alliance Volleyball Center in Woodridge. And when Michio Chicago 17 National su...
Loyola likes chances with healthy Howard; Plainfield North, Oswego set for SPC chase
Jack Howard returns from an injury-shortened junior campaign to lead Loyola in the Catholic League. (photo by Dave Ruggles) 2019 boys volleyball previews continue to trickle in to Illprepvb.com. Here's a look at Joliet Central, Loyola, Oswego and Plainfield North. School: Joliet Central Conference: Southwest Prairie Head coach: Kris Lundgren Last season’s highlights: 5-26 overall, 1-12 in conference, lost to Providence, 22-25, 25-15, 25-13, in a regional quarterfinal. Top returnees: 6-1 senior outside hitter Kolby Thompson, 5-7 sen...
Windy City Power League 18/17s division edges closer to dramatic finish
Fusion 18 Red's 21-25, 25-23, 15-13 victory Saturday over Michio Chicago 18 National gave Sky High 17 Adidas a little breathing room in the race for the Windy City Power League 18/17s Division title. “Sometimes volleyball is hard … “… and it continues to be,” said Sky High Adidas 17 Black coach Michelle Jakubowski. Sky High Adidas 17 Black had to grind it out through three three-set matches, but the team from Crystal Lake inched closer to winning the Windy City Power League 18/17s Division on Saturday when its closest competito...
Tiger Classic at Wheaton Warrenville South, March 28-30
Libertyville, St. Charles North have big shoes to fill; Carmel builds around Scott
Illprepvb.com continues its look at the 2019 boys' high school volleyball season with previews of Carmel, Fenwick, Grayslake Central, Libertyville and St. Charles North. School: Carmel Conference: East Suburban Catholic Head coach: Kevin Nylen (12th season) Last season’s highlights: 22-12 overall, 5-3 in conference, defeated Stevenson, 21-25, 25-22, 25-22, in regional final, lost to Barrington, 25-20, 25-19, in a sectional semifinal. Top returnees: 6-7 senior outside hitter Mike Scott (154 Kills, .414 hitting efficiency, 37 blocks as...
Oak Park-River Forest poised for run; Northtown, R-B debut in new leagues
Illprepvb.com continues its look at the 2019 boys' high school volleyball season with previews of Argo, CSIS Northtown Academy, Lemont, Metea Valley, Oak Park-River Forest and Riverside-Brookfield. School: Argo Conference: South Suburban Head coach: Ryan Skendzel Last season’s highlights: 13-13-3 overall, 4-6 in conference, lost to Wheaton Warrenville South, 25-18, 25-13, in a regional quarterfinal. Top returnees: 5-9 junior outside hitter Cincere Colbert (131 kills, 117 digs), 6-1 senior middle hitter Guillermo Robles (38 kills, 25 ...
Lincoln-Way West ready to finish the job; Deerfield, Vernon Hills set to contend
(photos by Dave Ruggles) Illprepvb.com continues its look at the 2019 boys' high school volleyball season with previews of Back of the Yards College Prep, Deerfield, Lincoln-Way West, South Elgin and Vernon Hills. School: Back of the Yards College Prep Conference: Chicago Public League Green South Head coach: Katherine Wu Last season’s highlights: 12-7 overall, 9-0 and conference champions in the Blue North, lost to Cristo Rey Jesuit, 25-19, 23-25, 25-23, in a regional quarterfinal. Top returnees: 6-0 senior middle hitter Daming Mei, ...
Saints (Francis, Rita) be praised; can Wheeling, Buffalo Grove contend in MSL East?
Illprepvb.com continues its look at the 2019 boys' high school volleyball season with previews of Buffalo Grove, Glenbard North, St. Francis, St. Rita and Wheeling. School: Buffalo Grove Conference: Mid-Suburban East Head coach: Tim Kosiek Last season’s highlights: 15-22, overall, 7-3 in conference (second place), lost to Loyola, 25-22, 25-14, in a regional semifinal. Top returnees: senior outside hitter Ethan Soifer (all-conference), senior outside hitter Marty Gross, senior setter Tommy Gross, junior setter Kyle Orton, senior middl...