Brother Rice's flirtation with perfection ended in the 2007 quarterfinals (Photo courtesy of Paul Ickes) The COVID-19 pandemic denied high school volleyball fans a 2020 boys’ season, but we can still celebrate some of the great teams of the past by naming the 10 All-Time Best Boys High School Volleyball Teams.The boys' first sanctioned state tournament was held in 1992. Richards dominated the landscape that season, not only becoming the first state champion in IHSA history, but also the first unbeaten state champion.There have been ot...
Illprepvb.com presents 200 reasons we can't wait for volleyball in the fall: Liberos
Libero Gillian Grimes was an anchor for Nazareth during its drive to Redbird Arena last fall. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Today, Illprepvb.com begins its look at 200 reasons we’re looking forward to girls high school volleyball resuming in the fall.Of course, there is no guarantee that Illinois schools will re-open by mid-to-late August or early September, and the IHSA will most likely follow the lead of state government before it OKs high school sports in the fall. But if schools do re-open, and the IHSA gives the go-ahead to fall sport...
150 reasons to watch boys' high school volleyball in the spring of 2021, Part II
Metea Valley's Chad Luckinbill (9) was a pivotal part of Sports Performance 16 Elite's highly successful club season and should help the Mustangs when they return to the court in the spring of 2021. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) The COVID-19 pandemic wiped out the 2020 boys’ high school season, shutting down what had promised to be a highly competitive and entertaining quest to crown the 29th champion since the IHSA began sanctioning high school volleyball tournaments in 1992.Although we regret that so many talented seniors were denied a be...
150 reasons to watch boys' high school volleyball in the spring of 2021, Part I
Led by outside hitter KJ Glab, St. Francis should be among the top teams in the state next spring. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) The COVID-19 pandemic wiped out the 2020 boys’ high school season, shutting down what had promised to be a highly competitive and entertaining quest to crown the 29th champion since the IHSA began sanctioning high school volleyball tournaments in 1992. Although we regret that so many talented seniors were denied a better ending to their high school careers, it’s not too early to look ahead to next spring when ...
Illprepvb.com ranks the 10 All-Time Best Illinois Boys High School Volleyball Teams, Nos. 1-5
Wheaton Warrenville South's 2012 unbeaten IHSA championship team, which went 42-0 and dropped only two sets all season, was named the ESPN National Champion The COVID-19 pandemic denied high school volleyball fans a 2020 boys’ season, but we can still celebrate some of the great teams of the past by naming the 10 All-Time Best Boys High School Volleyball Teams.The boys' first sanctioned state tournament was held in 1992. Richards dominated the landscape that season, not only becoming the first state champion in IHSA history, but also th...
Illprepvb.com presents the 20 All-Time Best Illinois Girls Volleyball Teams, Nos. 1-5
The 2016 Mother McAuley volleyball team won the IHSA Class 4A championship, the school's second under Jen DeJarld and the school's 15th overall, and was named the No. 1 team in the nation. (Photo courtesy of Mother McAuley) There have been many great teams throughout the history of IHSA girls’ high school volleyball – undefeated champions, once-beaten champions, and some teams that did not win a state championship despite their pedigree. Today, Illprepvb.com continues its countdown of the 20 All-Time Best Illinois Girls High Scho...
Here are the 2020 Michio Chicago/Illprepvb.com Final Girls Club Rankings
The AAU Girls Junior National Volleyball Championships are still scheduled for July 14-22, in Orlando, Florida. But because of the lack of local competitors, the tournament will have no bearing on our rankings. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) It is hard to believe that, for all intents and purposes, the 2020 girls club season ended nearly four months ago. Five Illinois clubs, including 1st Alliance, Top Flight and Sky High, have entered teams in the AAU Girls Junior National Championships in Orlando, Florida, on July 14-22, which has banned ...
630 Volleyball hosts training clinics with Anderson, McMillan
Penn State coach Colin McMillan 630 Volleyball, in conjunction with Indiana University, will welcome U.S. Olympian Matt Anderson to train with its athletes. Arguably the most valuable player in America over the last decade, Matt has racked up his fair share of individual accolades, including United States Player of the Year in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2019.The clinic will be held Friday, July 10, with two sessions: Ages 13-15 from 3:30-5:00 p.m., and ages 16-18 from 5:15-6:45 p.m., at 630 Volleyball, 7881 Lemont Rd., Darien. The cost is $...
Illprepvb.com presents 200 reasons we can't wait for volleyball in the fall: Setters
Breese Mater Dei's Jessie Timmeman set a school record for single-season assists in 2019. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Today, Illprepvb.com continues its look at 200 reasons why we’re looking forward to girls high school volleyball resuming in the fall.Of course, there is no guarantee that Illinois schools will re-open by mid-to-late August, and the IHSA will most likely follow the lead of state government before it OKs high school sports in the fall. But if schools do re-open, and the IHSA gives the go-ahead to fall sports, not only will...
Illprepvb.com presents the 20 All-Time Best Illinois Girls Volleyball Teams, Nos. 16-20
Payson-Seymour's 2017 team was one of the most dominant Class 1A champions in IHSA history, going three sets in only one of its 41 victories. There have been many great teams throughout the history of IHSA girls’ high school volleyball – undefeated champions, once-beaten champions, and some teams that did not win a state championship despite their pedigree.Today, Illprepvb.com begins its countdown of the 20 All-Time Best Illinois Girls' High School Volleyball Teams.The task was monumental, to be sure. There have been 84 championship tea...