Sports Performance 16 White dropped only one set during the entire tournament to win the 16 Spirit division at the 49th AAU Girls Junior National Volleyball Championships in Orlando, Florida, on Sunday. Orlando, Florida – There are exceptions to the “No sure thing” rule.For example, take the 18 Classic championship match at the 49th AAU Girls Junior National Volleyball Championships in Orlando, Florida, on Sunday.There was no way that a Sports Performance team wasn’t going to walk away with a national title. The only question was whether i...

Barrington opened the 2022 season with a 22-25, 25-19, 25-12 victory at Stevenson. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorBarrington’s Jessica Horwath, a University of Arizona beach volleyball recruit, opted out of the indoor club season last winter and spring to work with Progression Beach Volleyball club in Darien, where she and her partner played in several big-time tournaments against taller, more mature opponents.So whatever happens on the court during this high school season is unlikely to fluster her … for example, dropping the first s...

Glenbard East's Trevor Real (6) smashed 10 kills Wednesday against visiting Benet, but the visitors prevailed in three sets. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.com As Benet’s resident artist, Drew Rogers was put in charge of designing T-shirts for the Redwings’ senior night.It was a way for the Maryville University-bound outside hitter to demonstrate that his creativity is not limited to the volleyball court.“I was like, ‘What’s our slogan for the year?’” Rogers said. “It’s got to be, ‘Ole.’”The Redwings began...

Katie Schumacher-Cawley served as an assistant coach at Penn State for four seasons before being named head coach earlier this month. (Photos courtesy of Penn State athletics) Former Mother McAuley star and new Penn State head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley. By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comKatie Schumacher-Cawley called it a "dream come true.”The Chicago area native and two-time Penn State All-American landed one of the most prestigious positions in the nation when she was named the head coach of the Penn State women's volleyba...

Lemont improved to 16-8 overall and 7-0 in the South Suburban Conference with its win over Tinley Park on Tuesday. But the end game is a regional championship. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorChristine Zogata took over the boys’ volleyball program at Lemont six years ago with the idea of turning the team into a consistent winner, much as she has done with the girls’ program that has enjoyed several 30-win seasons and won a number of regional championships.Of course, it helps when some members of the boys’ team have sisters who play vo...