Glenbrook North complete just the sixth unbeaten season (albeit an abbreviated one) for an Illinois boys' volleyball team when it defeated Lake Park, 25-22, 18-25, 25-19, Saturday at Glenbard West. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) After weeks and weeks of speculation (will we or won’t we?), we did.The 2021 boys’ volleyball season ended with an IHSA-sponsored tournament. And though, as always, it was far from perfect – sectional imbalance and “geographic representation” continue to be issues the IHSA refuses to address – somehow, the two best te...
Belvidere North outslugs Normal West; Nazareth beats Joliet Catholic … again
Nazareth's Lauren Salata flicks a kill down the line in Friday's Class 3A semifinal victory over Joliet Catholic. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy SharerSpecial to Illprepvb.comNORMAL – When a volleyball team such as Belvidere North has more weapons, it behooves setters like Jayden Flynn to use them.The senior did just that, notching 24 assists as four of her hitters had 6 or more kills in a 25-18, 25-17 victory over Normal West in a Class 3A state tournament semifinal at Redbird Arena on Friday.Ranked No. 1 in 3A by Illprepvb.com, Belvide...
IC Catholic Prep, Lincoln-Way East ponder what might have been, get set for fall
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,...
There could be no denying Kaneland, and West may be the new normal in Normal
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...
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...
Walenga, L-W East send Porters packing; Spartans, 'Toppers, Lancers move on
Glenbard West's Danny Pasinski (7) will lead the host Hilltoppers into Saturday's IHSA 12:00 p.m. semifinal against Lake Park. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Glenbard West coach Christine Guinta-Mayer had little reason to be displeased with her team's performance Friday. You never want to let your older brother outshine you, especially when he’s sitting on the bench just a few feet away from you, watching your every move.But that’s the situation in which Lincoln-Way East sophomore Tyler Walenga finds himself.Eight years ago, his older brothe...
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Tuesday, June 1 results
Tuesday, June 1 results Barrington def. Rolling Meadows 25-19, 25-16Barrington (12-4 overall, 9-1 in the Mid-Suburban West).Rolling Meadows (10-7 overall, 7-3 in the Mid-Suburban East).Bartlett def. South Elgin 25-22, 25-19Belleville Althoff def. Granite City 25-6, 25-9Brother Rice def. Homewood-Flossmoor 18-25, 25-15, 25-20Homewood-Flossmoor (10-11 overall): Kenyon Haynes (2 kills, 17 assists, 1 ace, 3 digs), Charlie Van Etten (1 kill, 1 ace, 2 digs, 1 block), Luis Lampley (1 dig, 2 blocks), Marquel Flanagan (5 kills, 1 ace, 1 assist, 13 d...
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...
Friday, June 18 results
Gavin Swartz (9) contributed 4 kills and 2 digs against St. Rita as Glenbard West advanced to the IHSA semifinals with a 25-17, 25-17 victory Friday in Glen Ellyn. (Photo by Dave Ruggles). Friday, June 18 resultsIHSA quarterfinals at Glenbard WestLincoln-Way East def. Lockport 21-25, 25-21, 25-19Lincoln-Way East (20-5 overall): Tyler Walenga (14 kills, 2 assists, 5 digs), Ian Nicholson (10 kills, 1 assist, 1 ace, 7 digs), Owen Morrow (39 assists, 2 kills, 1 ace, 8 digs), Jason Kougan (7 kills, 1 dig, 2 blocks), Jon Guch (9 kills, 1dig, 3 bl...