Liam O'Neill (14) had a pair of kills in the semifinal as Glenbard West defeated Libertyvillle, 25-21, 25-13, on its way to its fourth IHSA championship. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) https://youtu.be/1QfZHq8kMU4 By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorWhen Glenbard West won the first of its three consecutive IHSA championships in 2015, 6-foot-5 middle hitter Parker Swartz contributed 7 kills, 3 digs and a block to the Hilltoppers’ 25-15, 25-13 victory over Vernon Hills in the title match.Meanwhile, the volleyball career of middle brother Ryan...

Fusion 18 Silver took just seven players to Phoenix due to illness, injury and other commitments, but went 6-2 in the 18 American division and placed 25th. The high school volleyball careers of dozens of players from Illinois ended last weekend at the 2022 USAV Girls 18s Junior National Championship in Phoenix, Arizona.And while there were no national championships to celebrate, each team had its own story of courage, determination, and ultimately, survival.Three local teams competed in the 18 Open division – Adversity G18 Adidas, 1st Alli...

Barrington's 6-10 sophomore outside hitter Cole Hartke (15) led Pipeline 17-1 to the championship match of the 2022 Dennis Lafata Boys Bid Classic. (Photo courtesy of Daily Herald) Today, we rank the top boys in the Class of 2024. The list is headed by the most impactful freshman from the 2021 high school season, Lockport's 5-foot-10 setter Evan Dziadkowiec, who led the Porters to their first-ever appearance in the IHSA quarterfinals and continued to flash his brilliance this winter at the reigns of Ultimate B16 Gold. Just behind...

Joliet West, which won its own tournament last weekend by defeating Stevenson and Lincoln-Way West, suffered its first loss of the season Tuesday at Lockport. By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comEvan Dziadkowiec is the captain of the Lockport boys’ volleyball team. He’s also one of four sophomore starters for the Porters. Dziadkowiec dished out 23 assists as the new look Porters continued their good start by defeating Joliet West, 25-18, 25-20, in a Tuesday morning matinee in Lockport. It was Joliet West’s first loss of t...

Lockport's 6-1 sophomore middle blocker Jenna Kolosta (18) is greeted at the net by Lincoln-Way East's Hayven Smith (16) and Tamia Maddox (12) during the Crimson Classic championship match at the Great Lakes Center in Aurora. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThere was something about finishing last season only one game over .500 that didn’t sit well with Lincoln-Way East veterans Ava Nepkin and Jada James.“Going into last season, we all anticipated having a good year,” Nepkin said. “Unfortunately, it wasn't.”But ...