Woodstock North players celebrate after winning the first set in the match that gave the Thunder no worse than a share of the Kishwaukee River Conference title, the first conference title in school history. (Photo by Vicki Long) Wednesday, April 14 results Girls volleyball Barrington def. Fremd 25-17, 25-23Fremd (6-3 overall, 6-3 in the Mid-Suburban West): Samantha Gump (7 kills), Claudia Wala (4 kills, 3 blocks), Sarah Graham (2 kills), Deme Yainas (2 aces, 5 digs), Rian Baker (12 assists, 1 ace, 3 blocks), Maeve Miller (1 ace), Iz...
West Chicago has one of those games that is best to put in a box and seal the lid
West Chicago is unbeaten in the Upstate Eight Conference and has matches remaining with co-leader South Elgin and perennial league contender Glenbard East. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorEven the best teams have the worst days.Wednesday, it was West Chicago’s turn.But despite the 25-15, 25-12 loss at Wheaton North, the Wildcats are enjoying a renaissance of sorts under head coach and former Lake Park and Iowa standout Pamela Pater.Pater, who took over the program in 2017, has turned the young Wildcats (19-5 overall, 5-0 in the Upstat...
Normal West, Hernandez shine brightly against Moline, Sacred Heart-Griffin
Normal West High School setter Sydney Sennett (11) notched 22 assists, seven digs and four aces during a 25-17, 25-14 victory over visiting Moline on Saturday. Facing off across the net is Moline's Rylie Frazelle. (Photo by Randy Sharer) By Randy SharerSpecial to Illprepvb.comNORMAL – Thanks to a shorter than ever offseason, the August volleyball on display during a triangular at Normal West High School on Saturday has rarely been more polished.In a showdown of three unbeatens, no team shined more brightly than the host Wildcats, who toppe...
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...
Adversity G18 Adidas has all the ingredients for a successful run to nationals
Adversity G18 Adidas' second-place finish in St. Louis imparted a few lessons to a team that has set its sights on an Open bid to the USA Volleyball Girls 18 Junior National Championship. Putting together a volleyball roster can be a little like making pot roast … sometimes it takes a while for all the ingredients to come together.Adversity G18 Adidas just needs a bit more seasoning.After losses to MAVS KC 18-1 (Kansas City, Missouri) and Premier Nebraska 18 Gold (Omaha) knocked Adversity out of bid contention at the Northern Lights Q...
Bourque, Yorkville riding wave of success, but the Foxes aren't done by a long shot
Plainfield Central will take a much needed breather before resuming play next Tuesday when the Wildcats host Romeoville on senior night. Yorkville's Ella Bourque By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorElla Bourque has experienced the highs and lows of high school volleyball.The 5-11 senior setter is just weeks away from wrapping up her fourth and final season on Yorkville’s varsity. As a freshman, Bourque and the Foxes went 26-8 before being derailed by Lockport in a regional semifinal. Less memorable seasons of 17-18 and 7-7 followed.Ho...
Saturday, August 28 results
Katie Hurta (9) had 13 kills, but it wasn't enough as Loyola defeated Nazareth in the championship game of the 2021 Crimson Classic. (Photo by Dave Ruggles). Saturday, August 28 results Loyola def. Nazareth 25-22, 25-15 (championship)Loyola (5-0): Mia McGrath (7 kills, 1 block 3 digs), Catherine Burke (6 kills, 2 blocks, 1 ace), Molly Power (4 kills, 3 blocks), Ava Bogan (5 kills, 2 blocks), Vanessa Dempsey (9 assists), Gabby Charlier (13 assists, 1 ace), Maggie Merck (5 digs), Lily Boland (3 digs, 3 aces, 1 ...
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...
UNO and Velocity combine to bring family-oriented club to Mokena, Tinley Park area
Twenty-year coaching veteran Hector Kiely will be at the helm of the boys’ program of the newly-formed UNO XP. Released by UNO XPAfter a few months of understanding each other’s capabilities, UNO and Velocity All Sports have come together to form an entity built upon two women’s love of volleyball.Terri Baranski and Cindy See both have played volleyball in college and are joining forces to bring UNO XP (https://www.unoxp.com/) to the volleyball world."Built By Volleyball Families For Volleyball Families."Cindy See played for DePaul as an ...
Friday, August 27 result
Friday, August 27 result St. Edward def. Harvest Christian 25-18, 25-18St. Edward (2-0 overall): Delaney Nolan (4 blocks, 3 kills), Kailey Treiber (4 kills, 3 aces, 4 digs), Taryn Lemezis (3 kills, 4 digs), Brooke Biggins (15 assists, 3 digs).Late Thursday, August 26 resultGreenville def. Lebanon 25-17, 25-8Greenville (1-1 overall): Jayden Markus (10 service points, 4 aces, 3 kills, 13 digs), Claire Dannaman (12 assists, 9 service points), Brooklyn Suzuki (6 service points, 2 aces, 20 digs), Kat Haas (4 kills), Lilly Funneman (4 kills), Rac...