Lauren (Wicinski) Kosecki led Michigan State to a pair of NCAA Sweet Sixteen appearances after starring at Northern Illinois University for two seasons. (Photos courtesy of Michigan State Athletic Department) Lauren (Wicinski) Kosecki. By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.comLauren Kosecki had no intention of going home.The former Geneva star was enjoying life deep in the heart of Texas, teaching and coaching in the Houston area, where she met her husband, Matthew.“At the time, I was like, ‘I’m not coming home, I don’t want to be cold...
These girls go to extreme lengths (mostly by car) to achieve their dreams
Macomb's Kennedy Adair travels more than 80 miles one way to play for Iowa Select Volleyball Club in Davenport, Iowa. Mendon Unity's Emma Hoing By Randy SharerSpecial to Illprepvb.comPeople will go far in pursuit of an athletic dream.Yet to be determined is how far it’s worth going.For decades, the world of club volleyball has seen the “worth it” distance stretch to astonishing lengths for players hoping to land a college scholarship or merely improve as much as possible.Name a club and chances are at some point in its history it’s had...
Where will Wrobel land on list of Sports Performance greats? 'That's up to her'
Plainfield North's Ella Wrobel (88) and her SPVB 18 Elite teammates are working toward winning a national AAU title next month in Orlando. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Kelly Murphy. Lauren Carlini. Colleen Ward. Kelsey Robinson. Taylor Landfair. Nellie Spicer. Tracey Marshall.Ella Wrobel?Sports Performance has produced some of the best volleyball players in the country. U.S. Olympians. All-Americans. NCAA champions.Could Wrobel be the next player to join that exemplary list?“Hopefully,” said Sports Performance’s Rick Butler. “That’s not up to me...
Lake Park, Schellinger hand top-ranked St. Francis first loss of the season
No. 1-ranked St. Francis saw its winning streak to open the season end at 23 matches Friday at the hands of Lake Park. By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.comTop-ranked St. Francis no longer has the pressure of trying to go undefeated.Josh Schellinger and his Lake Park teammates made sure of that.The 6-foot-6 Schellinger and 6-5 Andrew Deardorff each put down 9 kills, and setter Elijah Wrobel dished out 24 assists as the third-ranked Lancers upset St. Francis, 25-16, 25-23, Friday in Wheaton.The loss ended a 23-match winning streak by the ...
Friday, May 28 results
Vernon Hills defeated Loyola, Barrington and Lake Forest to win its own quadrangular Friday. https://youtu.be/Hi_tybTjPQI Friday, May 28 results Antioch def. Mundelein 26-25, 25-23Mundelein (8-4 overall, 3-2 in the North Suburban Conference): Tyler Vrska (9 digs, 2 assists), Evan Meister (3 kills, 2 digs), Paolo Escobar (3 digs), Leighton Eddy (1 kill, 2 blocks, 2 aces, 2 digs), Ryan McElligott (11 kills, 3 blocks, 1 ace, 6 digs, 10 assists), Jacob Franczca (5 kills, 1 block, 2 digs), August Holsman (2 kills, 1 dig), Matthew Kawa (1...
Thursday, May 13 results
(Photo by Dave Ruggles) Thursday, May 13 resultsBartlett def. Glenbard East 25-27, 25-13, 25-18Glenbard East (7-5 overall, 3-0 in the Upstate Eight Conference): Tyler Santos (9 kills, 4 digs), Jack Austin (10 kills, 1 ace), Griffen Skoumal (6 kills), Tyler Johnwick (4 kills, 1 ace), Connor Soto (33 assists, 2 kills, 3 digs, 2 blocks).Belleville East def. Alton 25-18, 25-16Benet def. Joliet Catholic 25-11, 25-15Benet (11-2 overall, 4-1 in the East Suburban Catholic Conference): Augie Mazza (6 kills, 2 assists), Drew Rogers (7 kills, 2 assist...
'Exhausted,' 'predictable,' St. Rita falls to Glenbard West in three sets
St. Rita is in the midst of a brutal stretch of games that includes Sandburg, Glenbard West, Lincoln-Way East, Lincoln-Way West and St. Francis. Zach Carroll came off the floor looking like he had just run an ultra marathon. “I'm very exhausted,” he said.He had reason to be.The 6-foot-3 outside hitter and his St. Rita teammates laid it all on the line through the first two sets of their non-conference match Thursday at Glenbard West, leading 25-20, 14-11, and seemingly on the verge of a huge win heading into the IHSA tournament in 11 da...
Lockport defeats Homewood-Flossmoor, in position to make a little history
Lockport coach Nick Mraz has the Porters in position to win their first-ever conference title, but even if the Porters win out, they may need some help. By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comSince the Southwest Suburban Conference was formed in the fall of 2005, Lockport has never won or shared a league title in boys’ volleyball.But the Porters are in a position to do that now. Lockport defeated Homewood-Flossmoor, 25-14, 25-19, Thursday in Flossmoor to maintain a share of first place in the nine-team league.The Porters (10-2, 6-1), w...
Presenting the Illprepvb.com/Michio Chicago VBA 2021 'Team(s) of the Year'
Would Benet have won its fifth Class 4A title in 10 years had not the fall season been postponed and the spring season shortened by the pandemic? We'll never know, but after watching the Redwings defeat Mother McAuley, which was unbeaten at the time, and later Marist in the East Suburban Catholic Conference Tournament finals, you would have to like their chances. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) The IHSA wouldn’t decide. There were no statewide polls to settle matters. Nobody drew straws or flipped a coin. Ask most fans and/or media, and you are u...
Thursday, May 27 results
(Photo by Dave Ruggles) Thursday, May 27 results Bartlett def. Glenbard East 19-25, 25-20, 25-17 Belleville East def Edwardsville 25-23, 25-19Edwardsville (9-1 overall, 7-1 in the Southwestern Conference): Preston Weaver (3 service points, 18 assists, 10 digs), Evan Reid (2 service points, 5 kills), Jacob Geisen (3 service points, 1 ace, 5 kills, 9 digs), Tyler Chrenka (14 digs), Kaden Chiapelli (1 service point, 7 kills, 6 digs), Miles Bell (4 kills, 0.800 hitting percentage), John Kreke (4 service points, 1 ace, 4 kills, 0.800 hitti...