IC Catholic Prep is getting ready for the fall 2021 season after finishing the state tournament-less spring campaign at 17-0 without dropping a set. What if? What if there had been a state tournament last year? What if we just forget last spring altogether? There are teams on both sides of the coin.  Yes, it would have been interesting to see what would have happened had there been a state series last season. Yes, there are some teams that are thankful to have a “do-over” and simply happy to put the past behind them. Today,...

Newark's KJ Friestad (No. 18 on the home page walking toward the bench) is one of two players who were members of the Lady Norsemen's 2019 championship team that must now defend its title without the services of Madi Malone (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee). (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Illprepvb.com continues its look at the 2021 season with more previews, including those of several teams Like St. Viator and Kaneland hoping to build on their success in the spring and others like Prairie Ridge looking to move up the ladder in their respe...

Marist's Kylie Brosius, Mary Clare Brusek, Bella Bullington, Chloe Artega and Elise Ward took on Wheaton Warrenville South Monday minus injured junior Kamryn Chaney (far right). Rebecca Bellows is following in the footsteps of Darby Harris and taking one for the team.Two years ago, Wheaton Warrenville South coach Bill Schreier gave some thought to running a 6-2 with Sarah Burau and Zayna Meyer sharing the setter’s position. That experiment was short-lived, however, and Meyer moved to outside hitter.Meanwhile, Harris, also a setter by trade...

Freeport Aquin has an enrollment of 88.50 students (how do you classify as a half-student?), but Lucy Arndt (12) and the Lady Bulldogs are among the favorites to reach Redbird Arena in Class 1A later this fall. Illprepvb.com continues its look at the 2021 season with more previews, including those of several teams hoping to build on their success in the spring and others that are facing a total revamp after suffering heavy graduation losses. (Last spring's record in parenthesis): Barrington (14-2)Start with the Mid-Suburban League Player...

Tara Glynn (above) and Abby Kenzinger (on the home page) are two reasons Richards is expected to vie for the South Suburban Conference Red Division title again this fall. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Illprepvb.com continues its look at the 2021 season with more previews, including those of several teams hoping to build on their success in the spring and others looking to move up the heirarchy in their respective leagues. (Last season's record in parenthesis):Crystal Lake South (7-6)After a slow start, the Gators won four of their final five...

Dakota's Tabytha Toelke (left) likely would have broken into the top 10 among Illinois all-time kill leaders had it not been for last year's shortened season and a brief personal absence while in quarantine due to COVID contact tracing. She is now a freshman at the University of Memphis. (Photo courtesy of the Rockford Register Star). Monday, Monday. The first day of practice for the 2021 Illinois girls’ high school volleyball season is just hours away.One of the more intriguing storylines of the 2021 season is the plight of Thornton Fract...