Wheaton Warrenville South's Trey Closset (8), shown here in an earlier match against Naperville Central, had 27 kills in a match against Neuqua Valley on Friday, the third most in program history and tops in the rally-scoring era. (Photo by Dave Ruggles). Saturday, May 1 results Glenbard North def. Glenbard East 25-17, 23-25, 25-10Glenbard East (3-2 overall, 1-0 in the Upstate Eight Conference): Connor Soto (18 assists, 1 ace, 5 digs, 1 block), Trevor Real (6 kills, 6 digs), Bartek Kwidzinski (4 kills, 5 digs), Jack Austin (3 kills, 1 ...
Monday, May 10 results
Monday, May 10 results Carmel def. Grayslake North 25-14, 25-22Carmel (7-1 overall, 2-1 in the East Suburban Catholic Conference): Matt Herron (11 kills, 2 blocks), Andersen Ptasienski (7 kills, 2 blocks), Ryan Hogan (9 digs), Will Niese (2 blocks), Zach Marcheschi (2 blocks), Mario Durnil (11 assists), Bobby Szamocki (6 assists).Deerfield def. Maine West 25-20, 25-9Lakes def. Lake Forest 25-15, 25-22Lakes (3-2 overall, 1-0 in the Northern Lake County Conference): Ben Mercure (7 kills), Ben Welch (4 kills, 2 aces), James Leone (15 assists)....
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...
Thursday, May 20 results
(Photo by Dave Ruggles) Thursday, May 20 results Bartlett def. Fenton 25-19, 25-10Bartlett (15-1 overall, 5-0 in the Upstate Eight Conference).Benet def. Marian Catholic 25-8, 25-13Benet (14-2 overall, 6-1 in the East Suburban Catholic Conference).Downers Grove North def. Proviso West 25-15, 25-21Downers Grove North (6-6 overall, 3-4 in the West Suburban Silver). Fremd def. Palatine 25-17, 25-21Palatine: Bobby Widlowski (6 kills, 1 ace, 7 digs), Jackson Wheat (1 block, 1 ace), Eli Sherman (18 assists), Borowiec (2 kills, 3 digs).Glenbard...
Wednesday, May 5 results
Wednesday, May 5 resultsArgo def. T.F. United 25-21, 25-21 Benet def. Montini 23-25, 25-9, 25-20Montini: Daniel Cyze (11 kills, 2 blocks), Miguel Jaojoco (5 kills), Andrew Briones (12 assists, 3 kills).Montini coach Brian Opoka: “My kids faced adversity all match and never showed any quit. We were down 5 points twice and battled back to tie it up. My kids are learning how to compete with the best teams in the state. I am so proud of our effort tonight. We took another big step forward.”Buffalo Grove def. Fremd 25-19, 21-25, 25-19Fremd (4-2 ove...
Former Geneva great finds herself in the last place she expected to be – home
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...
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...
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 ...