Illprepvb.com presents the 100 All-Time Best Illinois Girls Volleyball Players, Nos. 11-20

Barrington's Lexi Zimmerman (17) was a three-time All-Big Ten selection, a three-time AVCA All-American and the Michigan Female Athlete of the Year in 2009-2010. (Photo courtesy of the Michigan Daily) Today, we continue our countdown of the 100 All-Times Best Illinois Girls Volleyball Players with Nos. 11-20. Volleyball has come a long way since the IHSA began sponsoring a state tournament series in 1974. You might be hard-pressed to recognize the game. Not only have the rules changed, but so has the caliber of the athletes who com...

Illprepvb.com presents the 50 All-Time Best Illinois Boys Volleyball Players, Nos. 11-20

Marist boys volleyball coach Jordan Vidovic (left background) was also a record-setting player in his day while attending Brother Rice. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) Today, we continue to count down the 50 All-Time Best Illinois Boys Volleyball Players. The players were selected based on their athletic ability, their individual accomplishments on the court, how they impacted their team’s success, their place in IHSA history, and in some cases, how they continued to represent themselves and Illinois volleyball on the national and internati...

Illprepvb.com presents the 100 All-Time Best Illinois Girls Volleyball Players, Nos. 61-70

Glenbrook South's Ellen Chapman (20) participated in IHSA tournaments in volleyball and track before going on to a solid collegiate career at Wisconsin. (Photo courtesy of the University of Wisconsin) Today, we continue our countdown of the 100 All-Times Best Illinois Girls Volleyball Players with Nos. 61-70. Volleyball has come a long way since the IHSA began sponsoring a state tournament series in 1974. You might be hard-pressed to recognize the game. Not only have the rules changed, but so has the caliber of the athletes who compet...

Illprepvb.com presents the 100 All-Time Best Illinois Girls Volleyball Players, Nos. 31-40

Naperville North's Colleen Ward began her college career at Florida before transferring to Illinois where she led the Illini to the NCAA semifinals in 2011. Today, we continue our countdown of the 100 All-Times Best Illinois Girls Volleyball Players with Nos. 31-40. Volleyball has come a long way since the IHSA began sponsoring a state tournament series in 1974. You might be hard-pressed to recognize the game. Not only have the rules changed, but so has the caliber of the athletes who compete.The growth of club volleyball, improved tr...

Illprepvb.com presents the 100 All-Time Best Illinois Girls Volleyball Players, Nos. 21-30

Benet libero Hattie Monson will go down as one of the best defenders in Illinois high school history and will take her considerable skills to Notre Dame in the fall. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) Today, we continue our countdown of the 100 All-Times Best Illinois Girls Volleyball Players with Nos. 21-30. Volleyball has come a long way since the IHSA began sponsoring a state tournament series in 1974. You might be hard-pressed to recognize the game. Not only have the rules changed, but so has the caliber of the athletes who compete.The growt...

Illprepvb.com presents the 100 All-Time Best Illinois Girls Volleyball Players, Nos. 41-50

Mother McAuley's Ryann DeJarld celebrated a state championships with her mom and coach, Jen, before becoming a standout defensive player at Notre Dame. (Photo courtesy of Notre Dame). Today, we continue our countdown of the 100 All-Times Best Illinois Girls Volleyball Players with Nos. 41-50. Volleyball has come a long way since the IHSA began sponsoring a state tournament series in 1974. You might be hard-pressed to recognize the game. Not only have the rules changed, but so has the caliber of the athletes who compete.The growth of ...

Illprepvb.com presents the 100 All-Time Best Illinois Girls Volleyball Players, Nos. 71-80

Jacksonville's Jaelyn Keene (2) had nearly 3,000 kills during her combined high school and college careers. (Photo courtesy of Illinois State University, cover photo courtesy of St. Louis University) Today, we continue our countdown of the 100 All-Times Best Illinois Girls Volleyball Players with Nos. 71-80. Volleyball has come a long way since the IHSA began sponsoring a state tournament series in 1974. You might be hard-pressed to recognize the game. Not only have the rules changed, but so has the caliber of the athletes who compete....

Disney World or bust … USA Volleyball cancellation leaves clubs with only one choice (updated 5/31)

Marist's Ewalina Gacek and her 1st Alliance 17 Black teammates are on a short list of teams tentatively scheduled to participate in the AAU Girls Junior National Championships beginning July 14 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) USA Volleyball has made the decision easy.“I’m going to Disney World.”At least until further notice.Late last week, USA Volleyball announced the cancellation of the USA Volleyball Indoor National Championships for the 2020 season, including the Girls Junior National Championship in Dallas and the Girls 18s...

Illprepvb.com presents the 100 All-Time Best Illinois Girls Volleyball Players, Nos. 81-90

St. Francis setter Michelle Kocher led the Spartans to two IHSA championships and a runner-up finish, then guided Texas to the NCAA Final four twice. (Above photo courtesy of Texas Athletics, cover photo courtesy of Northwestern Athletics) Today, we continue our countdown of the 100 All-Times Best Illinois Girls Volleyball Players with Nos. 81-90. Volleyball has come a long way since the IHSA began sponsoring a state tournament series in 1974. You might be hard-pressed to recognize the game. Not only have the rules changed, but so ha...

Illprepvb.com presents the 100 All-Time Best Illinois Girls Volleyball Players, Nos. 1-10

West Aurora graduate Lauren Carlini never played at Redbird Arena, but she has played just about everywhere else during her college and professional career. She was scheduled to play in Tokyo this summer with the U.S. women's national team. Today, we continue our countdown of the 100 All-Times Best Illinois Girls Volleyball Players with Nos. 1-10. Volleyball has come a long way since the IHSA began sponsoring a state tournament series in 1974. You might be hard-pressed to recognize the game. Not only have the rules changed, but s...