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...
'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...
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...
Hinsdale Central's game speed just a little too quick for Timothy Christian
Timothy Christian, which is only in its second full year of fielding a varsity team, features seniors (from left) Ben Tameling, Josh Loerop, Andrew Sheehan, Jason Westra and Kyle Teune. Timothy Christian’s schedule hasn’t exactly prepared the Trojans for what they’ll see on the other side of the net when the IHSA tournament begins in two weeks.“Adequate competition,” is what Timothy Christian coach David Barker calls his team’s slate of conference opponents.So while Wednesday’s 25-18, 25-15 loss at Hinsdale Central – the first time Timoth...
Wheaton North, Knoerr take down Geneva in front of (gasp!) a crowd of people
Geneva lost for just the third time in DuKane Conference play, falling at Wheaton North, 25-23, 18-25, 25-21, in front of a large senior night crowd Tuesday. There was something different about this game.The playing court was the same size. The height of the net was unchanged. There were six players on each side. Two officials – one up, one down. The ball was regulation. Rally scoring was used.So what was it that made this match different?People.“This is the first volleyball game all season that we’ve actually had a crowd,” said Geneva co...
Wednesday, May 26 results
(Photo by Dave Ruggles) Wednesday, May 26 results Barrington def. Palatine 25-15, 25-15Palatine: Storm (2 kills), Eli Sherman (9 assists, 2 kills, 1 block), Borowiec (2 aces), Bobby Widlowski (7 digs).Note: Barrington (11-2 overall, 9-1 in the Mid-Suburban West) wins the West division title and will face Prospect in the Mid-Suburban League championship game at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 3, in Mt. Prospect.Hinsdale Central def. Timothy Christian 25-18, 25-15Timothy Christian (9-2 overall, 9-1 in the Metro Suburban Conference): Kyle T...