Mike Layne was named the new head coach at Pinckneyville in late July after more than 20 years as head coach at Murphysboro. Mike Layne took a year off from coaching to watch daughter Stephanie play at Judson University in Elgin. Mike Layne is trading in his Crimson/Corn polo for Columbia Blue.Layne, who won nearly 1,000 matches as head coach of the Murphysboro high school and middle school girls’ volleyball programs, was recently hired at Pinckneyville High School to be the Lady Panthers’ next head coach.Layne succeeds Cathy Kohnen, wh...

Former Wheaton Warrenville South and Illinois men's club volleyball setter Doug Burchett recently shared some of his knowledge with middle school and high school players at 630 Volleyball Club in Darien. Doug Burchett led Wheaton Warrenville South to two of its record seven state boys' volleyball titles. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.comDoug Burchett believes someone will break his Illinois’ high school all-time assist record. But it likely won't happen anytime soon.“There's a lot of really solid setters out there,” said Burchett, whos...

Division 1 and Wildcat Juniors recently merged, creating more training and participation opportunities for athletes who live in the North Shore area. By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comThe COVID-19 pandemic has played havoc with youth sports.One of the hardest-hit sports has been volleyball, which saw the cancellation of the Illinois boys’ high school season last spring, the cancellation of the USA Volleyball Junior National Championships and a scaled-down AAU Junior National Championships this summer, and the postponement of the IHSA...

Volleyball players statewide will have to wait another day to learn whether their participation in high school sports will not be jeopardized should they also compete in club events simultaneously. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) The IHSA Board of Directors decided Monday to put off a decision whether to allow student-athletes to compete for their high school volleyball teams while simultaneously participating in club and travel sports this spring and summer.Current IHSA eligibility rules state that students who choose to participate in non-school...

Naperville North and Sports Performance setter Anna Jaworski (left), who recently won two EVP Beach Volleyball events with her partner, Wheaton Warrenville South's Zayna Meyer, will attend her mother's alma mater, Southern Illinois University, next fall to continue a playing career inspired by her brother. John Jaworski was a stellar performer during his career at Naperville North and inspired his sister to carry on the family tradition. By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.comEven though both of Anna Jaworski’s parents played volley...

Former Lockport head coach Julia Hudson retired from coaching after wrapping up an eight-year career at Evansville North High School. Julie Hudson led Lockport to the 1993 IHSA Class AA title with a team that was unbeaten against opponents from Illinois. By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comJulia Hudson was interviewed nine years ago as she prepared to enter her last season as girls’ volleyball coach at Lockport. “Please don’t use the word, ‘last,’” Hudson said at that time. “Please find another word, because that sounds so final....

Girls may have to choose between playing high school or club volleyball this spring if the IHSA Board of Directors upholds current eligibility restrictions. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) The IHSA Board of Directors is expected to decide at its Monday, August 24 meeting whether to allow student-athletes to compete for their high school teams while simultaneously participating in club and travel sports.Current IHSA eligibility rules state that students who choose to participate in non-school sports during a sport season will not be eligible to ...