Decatur St. Teresa's Valerie Nutakor will lead the Bulldogs' bid for a second consecutive IHSA Class 2A championship in 2020. (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.Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday released long-awaited guidance for schools across the state that would allow them to re-open in the fall. Each school district will determine how to implement the guidance based on its unique circumstances, the statemen...
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 ...
Seventh straight final four not out of question for Glenbard West; and more
Glenbard West and outside hitter Nicco Cavalcante (far right) are shooting for their seventh consecutive final four appearance in the IHSA tournament. (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: Glenbard WestConference: West Suburban SilverHead coach: Christine Giunta MayerLast season’s highlights: 37-4 overall,6-0 in conferenc...
Delaying girls’ high school volleyball until spring would be an “absolute disaster”
These 2019 graduates of Mother McAuley were able to complete their senior season. But what does the future hold for the teammates they leave behind? Stevenson High School officials announced last week that the Lincolnshire campus would essentially remain off limits to the school's nearly 4,400 students when the 2020-21 term begins August 17, likely for the entire first semester. Elgin-based School District U-46 announced that its 38,000-plus students will learn remotely during the first seven weeks of the upcoming school year, while Glen...
Updated: IHSA moves target date to May 1 for return of spring sports
Wheaton North coach John Noe IV is optimistic that the 2020 boys volleyball season can be saved despite the ongoing spread of the COVID-19 virus. Updated April 1, 2020 Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s most recent executive order called for schools to remain shuttered until April 30, and the Illinois High School Association released a statement Wednesday indicating that May 1 is the target date for the spring sports season to resume."Even though Illinois schools will remain closed through April 30 following the March 31 announcement by Illin...
1st Alliance VBC presents 10 more girls' teams that could have some fun in 2021
Lockport coach Nick Mraz will be a busy man come February 2021. He coaches both girls and boys teams at Lockport. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Now that we know that the girls' high school volleyball season has been pushed back to "spring" beginning February 15, here are 10 more teams that could thrive in 2021. Class 4ADowners Grove North (22-17) – Setter Grace Malone and middle hitter Morgan Wendt are significant losses for coach Mark Wasik, but as long as Gwen Wolkow is around, the Trojans will always be in the hunt. The 5-10 outside hit...
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...
Former U.S. national team star’s turbulent journey takes unexpected turn
Ex-professional football player Nick Tow-Arnett accompanied his wife when she played volleyball overseas. Jessica Tow-Arnett is now the head volleyball coach at Southwest Christian High School in Minnesota. By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.comJessica Tow-Arnett swam in the Caspian Sea, walked the beaches of the Persian Gulf and shared the gospel with people in several Muslim countries during a decade-long career as a professional volleyball player. The former Neuqua Valley star, who was known as Jessica Jones before she married forme...
Here are the post-Lafata Michio Chicago/Illprepvb.com Boys Club Rankings
Future 18 Elite and SPVB B16 Elite finished second in their respective divisions at the just-concluded 2020 Dennis Lafata Boys Bid Classic in St. Louis. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) The 2020 Dennis Lafata Boys Bid Classic in St. Louis, Missouri, is in the books. Illinois teams did not win a single Open championship, doing most of their damage in the USA and Club divisions.Local division winners at Lafata included SPVB B18 Lenny (18 USA), Future 17 White (17 USA), 630 Volleyball 16-1 (16 USA) and Ultimate B15 Blue (15 Club).Runners-up in th...
Cook, Stone learning on the fly, while Future soars on the volleyball court
Future 18 Elite features several players from west suburban powerhouses Glenbard West and St. Francis, including James Meinhart and K.J. Glab. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.comStarting a business is a heavy lift for anyone, but recent college graduates Nic Cook and Jacob Stone are seeing instant success.The long-time friends decided to hang out their own shingle after the club where Cook was coaching folded last year.Their new venture, Future Volleyball Club, is off to a great start. The Carol Stream-based ...