Teenagers are experiencing more stress than ever due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and it's important for parents to encourage their children to share their feelings, support them, work through the difficulties together while also caring for themselves. Maria Rago, Ph.D., is a psychologist and president of Rago & Associates Counseling Services. By all accounts, 13-year-old London Bruns of Ridgefield, Washington, was a happy teenager. Her parents described her as a sweet and sensitive daughter with a kind heart and incredible artistic...
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 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...
IHSA approves one-time exemption for high school and club volleyball participation
Boys and girls volleyball players will be able to participate in high school and club volleyball at the same time during the 2020-21 this school year following a ruling by the IHSA Board of Directors on Monday. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) A month after tabling a decision on whether to allow students to participate in club and travel sports while simultaneously competing for their high school teams during the spring and summer seasons, the IHSA Board of Directors gave the go-ahead Monday.IHSA By-law 3.100, which governs independent team parti...
Illprepvb.com presents the 50 All-Time Best Illinois Boys Volleyball Players
Barrington's 6-9 middle hitter TJ Murray continued his stellar career at Lewis University, where he was named an AVCA Honorable Mention All-American following the pandemic-shortened season. (Photo courtesy of Chicago Tribune) Today, we begin 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 thems...
His varsity career likely ended after one week, but his future still looks bright
St. Viator senior Daniel Fecko (foreground) personifies the definition of "student-athlete," according to his volleyball coach, Katie Post. St. Viator's Daniel Fecko (4). By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comDaniel Fecko always puts forth an extra effort.The fact that the St. Viator senior achieved a perfect score of 36 on his ACT exam is certainly proof of that.Fecko has been playing soccer and volleyball at St. Viator since he was a freshman. This spring, however, would have been his first opportunity to play on a varsity team.But w...
Great Lakes Volleyball Center 2021 Champions Cup, Presidents' Day schedule
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. 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...
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....