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 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...

Illprepvb.com presents the 20 All-Time Best Illinois Girls Volleyball Teams, Nos. 6-10

Illprepvb.com Team of the Year Sterling defeated Joliet Catholic in the 2018 Class 3A championship match to claim the school's first volleyball title. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) 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 School Volleyball Teams. The task was monumental, to ...

What next? Clubs preparing to fill the void … if the unthinkable happens

Several clubs throughout Illinois either plan to or have already begun offering training for their athletes in the wake of the cancellation of the USA Volleyball National Championship and the stark possibility that the girls' fall high school season may be cancelled or postponed until the spring. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) The IHSA took a baby step late last week regarding the resumption of sports-related activities, allowing schools to open for voluntary strength and conditioning sessions provided they meet certain restrictions and the ac...

Illprepvb.com presents the 20 All-Time Best Illinois Girls Volleyball Teams, Nos. 11-15

Benet won the school's fourth Class 4A championship in 2019, avenging its only loss - at defending state champion Marist -- in the semifinals, and defeating Wheaton Warrenville South in the championship match. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) 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 Gir...

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...

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 ranks the 10 All-Time Best Illinois Boys High School Volleyball Teams, Nos. 6-10

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...