L-W East looks to continue winning tradition; Benet, Palatine and more

John Glennon (82) is one of three key seniors returning at Lincoln-Way East, which has won 30 or more matches seven times over the last 10 years and claimed the 2018 IHSA championship. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Illprepvb.com continues its look at the 2020 boys' high school volleyball season with another set of team previews. Illprepvb.com provides the best in boys volleyball coverage throughout the season anywhere in the state. School: Benet AcademyConference: East Suburban CatholicHead coach: Jeff SteinbergLast season’s highlig...

More team previews as Illprepvb.com looks at the 2020 boys season

Lyons' 6-foot-8 middle blocker Sam Peters (17, far right) figures to be a force at the net for Lions' coach Brad Skendzel. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Illprepvb.com continues its look at the 2020 boys' high school volleyball season with another set of team previews. Illprepvb.com provides the best in boys volleyball coverage throughout the season anywhere in the state. School: AndrewConference: Southwest SuburbanHead coach: Troy Hari      Last season’s highlights: 12-13 overall, 2-6 in conference, lost to Marist, 25-...

USA Volleyball cancels Mid-East, Windy City qualifiers due to COVID-19

Teams that were planning to participate in the Mid-East Qualifier March 20-22 in Indianapolis or the W9ndy City Qualifier April 20-22 will have to find other opportunities to qualify for nationals. USA Volleyball has cancelled the events due to health concerns. Here is the link to the USA Volleyball website:https://www.teamusa.org/usa-volleyball/features/usa-volleyball-response-on-coronavirus ...

VC United taking boys, girls volleyball to a new level in the Rockford area

VC United attracts boys and girls from throughout the Rockford and northwest Illinois areas, like 5-11 outside hitter Gracey Lovgren (17) from Stillman Valley. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.comEric Schulze had been involved in club volleyball for two decades when he decided to put out his own shingle in 2017.He picked a good place to do it.Schulze was informed by some Rockford-area residents that an area club had dropped its boys’ program and asked if he wanted to help form a new one. At the time, he been coac...

Here are the latest Michio Chicago/Illprepvb.com Girls Club Rankings

Amanda Rice of Lemont and her Adversity G18 Adidas teammates won the Windy City Power League 17&18 Open division championship, going 14-1 overall with its only loss at the hands of Sky High Adidas 18 Black on February 2. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) The Windy City Power League wrapped up Sunday and the chase for bids to the USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Championships is on, beginning with the 2020 Nike Mideast Qualifier at the Indianapolis Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana, March 20-22.Here are the final 2020 Michio Chi...

St. Rita eyes third straight Hoffman trip; Naperville North towers, and more

Colin Dahill (16) is one of four starters returning for St. Rita, which lost a heartbreaking three-setter to New Trier in the 2019 IHSA quarterfinals at Hoffman Estates. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Illprepvb.com continues its look at the 2020 boys' high school volleyball season with another set of team previews. Illprepvb.com provides the best in boys volleyball coverage throughout the season anywhere in the state. School: Metea ValleyConference: DuPage ValleyHead coach: John Aister (10th year, 181-143)Last season’s highlights: 16-22 overa...

Elbows, fist bumps the order of the day as Windy City Power League winds down

Newark's Madi Malone (far right), who recently committed to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and her Adversity G17 Adidas teammates battled their way into the Bracket A championship match of the 18&17 Open division Saturday at the 1st Alliance Volleyball Center in Woodridge. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) The congratulatory handshakes before and after every match gave way to knocking elbows and a few scattered fist bumps as participants in the second-to-last day of the Windy City Power League deferred to what is becoming the new nationa...

Which boys' high school teams will be among Illinois’ best in 2020?

Many athletes, coaches and fans are holding out hope that some of the 2020 boys high school volleyball season can be salvaged and scenes like this one be repeated. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Updated 3:45 p.m., Wednesday, April 1 Two weeks on the shelf (and more ahead), but here and elsewhere we’re still hoping that there will be a boys’ high school volleyball season, even a substantially abbreviated one. After Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzer announced Tuesday that schools would remain closed through April 30, the IHSA released a statement...

Minooka welcomes back 10 seniors; Niles North leaves South, and more

Middle hitter Mason Weis (12) and outside hitter Shane Ooms (11) led Minooka to the IHSA quarterfinals at Hoffman Estates in 2019, a destination the Indians' 10 seniors hope to reach again in 2020. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Note: Although Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzer’s most recent “stay at home” order extended school closings until April 8, Illprepvb.com will continue to publish content relevant to the 2020 high school boys’ volleyball season in the hope that it will be resumed at some point in the future. School: Grayslake NorthConference:...

Fenton gets help from roundballers; Guba takes over at Shepard, and more

Glenbard North's Michael Dziewior (to the right of and slightly behind Future 18 Elite coach Jacob Stone), is one of four veterans returning for Panthers' boss Dedra DeBenedetti. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Note: Although Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzer’s most recent “stay at home” order extended school closings until April 8, Illprepvb.com will continue to publish content relevant to the 2020 high school boys’ volleyball season in the hope that it will be resumed at some point in the future.School: FentonConference: Upstate EightHead coach: &n...