Join in asking IDPH to reconsider decision denying boys a state tournament

Has it really been two years since Marist's Marty Simpson (2) guided the RedHawks to a state championship at Hoffman Estates? (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Editor's note: Unless action is taken, boys' volleyball stands to lose a state tournament for the second consecutive year. Below is a letter from a reader and concerned parent, Jeff Lange of Hinsdale, to Dr. Ngozi Ezike, Director, Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH); Aaron Beswic, Senior Policy Advisor, IDPH; and Jess Ruiz, Illinois Lieutenant Governor, providing several reasons why th...

Presenting the 2021 Illprepvb.com/Michio Chicago VBA Girls All-State Volleyball Team

Nazareth's Izzy Decker (3) drives a ball past a pair of Marist defenders in a match earlier this season between two 2019 state semifinalists. Decker, a 6-0 outside hitter, is an honorable mention all-state selection. (Photo by Dave Ruggles). Today, we are pleased to announce the 2021 Illprepvb.com/Michio Chicago VBA Girls All-State Volleyball Team.Coaches across Illinois were invited to nominate players to the all-state team. Team members were selected based upon their accomplishments on the court and in the classroom as high school stude...

Monday, March 29 results

Woodstock North (foreground) took sole possession of first place in the Kishwaukee River Conference with its win Monday over Richmond-Burton. Monday, March 29 resultsArthur-Lovington Atwood-Hammond def. Argenta-Oreana 25-22, 25-12Arthur-Lovington Atwood-Hammond (3-1 overall, 3-1 in the Lincoln Prairie Conference): Mackenzi Bowles (4 kills, 1 block, 1 dig), Cheyenne Chupp (3 kills, 4 digs), Delaney Gilllis (1 dig), Michaela Powell (3 aces, 1 kill, 5 digs), Sarah Rafferty (2 aces, 2 digs, 7 assists), Alisha Frederick (1 ace, 1 block, 2 digs,...

Tuesday, October 12 results

Pleasant Plains setter Hannah Smith (2) recorded her 1,000th career assist during Tuesday's match against Mt. Pulaski. Tuesday, October 12 results Alleman def. Quincy 15-25, 25-21, 25-21Anne VanDerHeede (2 aces, 20 assists, 1 kill, 1 block, 3 digs), Bella Runge (5 digs), Clair Hulke (1 ace, 12 kills, 7 blocks, 4 digs), Claire Sottos (1 kill, 1 dig), Colleen Kenney (3 aces, 8 kills, 10 digs), Iris Reynolds (3 kills, 2 blocks), Lauren Reger (2 assists, 9 digs), Mary Schultz (1 dig).Aquin def. Durand 25-15, 25-0Aquin (20-2 overall, 10-0 in...

Aquin runs out of gas against St. Thomas More; Stephens, Suns set on Lutheran

Springfield Lutheran's Makenna Cox tries to tip around two Augusta Southeastern defenders in the second IHSA Class 1A semifinal won by the Suns, 25-16, 25-23. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Class 1ABy Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorNORMAL – The little engine that could ran out of steam.After surprising No. 1-ranked (Champaign) St. Thomas More in the first set, (Freeport) Aquin fell behind in each of the next two sets and could never quite catch the Sabres, falling 19-25, 25-22, 25-18 in the first IHSA Class 1A semifinal Friday at Redbird Arena...

Tiny Emden's fearless Barry packs a big punch in her not-so-big frame

Normal U-High's hard-hitting Lily Barry, who plays outside hitter for her high school and Illini Elite 16 Cardinal club teams, projects as a libero at the Division I level. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy SharerSpecial to Illprepvb.comWatching 5-foot-6 Lily Barry wallop a volleyball says a lot about the 16-year-old member of the Bloomington-based Illini Elite Volleyball Club.“She doesn’t hold back in anything that she does,” said club director Andy Erins, who is trying to convince the sophomore from Normal University High School by way o...

Richards pins hopes on Glynn, Kenzinger; Bourque lays down law for Yorkville

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...

1st Alliance 18 Black punches its ticket to nationals at Beast of the Southeast

1st Alliance 18 Black won the 18 USA division at last weekend's Beast of the Southeast Invite. 1st Alliance 18 Black defeated Rage-Westside 18 Jen (Belmont, California), 25-23, 25-20, on Sunday to win the 18 USA division at the Beast of the Southeast Invite & U18 National Qualifier in Atlanta, Georgia, and earn a bid to the USA Volleyball Girls 18s Junior National Championship in Columbus, Ohio, April 23-25.“This was truly a team win … from the players to the parents,” said 18 Black coach Matthew Madia. “From the start, this team real...

Rosenow brothers leading Oswego on long road back from unscheduled break

Plainfield Central needed a few more balls to bounce its way Thursday at Oswego, said coach Robert Richardson. Oswego junior libero Alex Rosenow was kidded that he got short-changed in the height department, checking in at a good 6 inches shorter than his brother, Ben.But Alex countered that he does have bragging rights in at least one area.“I’m three minutes older,” Alex said.The Rosenows, two-thirds of a set of triplets (brother Sam opted to play golf rather than follow his brothers’ lead), both came up big this week for Oswego, leading...

Tuesday, October 5 results

Eureka's Kylie Hasselbacher (left) and Ella Ausmus were named to the all-tournament team at Pekin last weekend. Tuesday, October 5 results Addison Trail def. Morton 25-21, 25-20Addison Trail (9-12 overall, 3-2 in the West Suburban Gold): Caitlin Muhr (6 kills, hit .200, 2 aces, 9 digs), Sam Bartosik (6 digs, passed a 2.44), Kennedy Smith (2 aces, 18 assists).Andrew def. Lincoln-Way Central 25-20, 25-19Lincoln-Way Central (11-11 overall, 0-2 in the Southwest Suburban Conference): Mia Mattingly (6 kills, 2 blocks), Nicole Connolly (6 kills...