Libero Sydnie Hernandez (Illini Elite VBC) helped lead Normal Community West to the IHSA Class 3A semifinals at Redbird Arena this fall. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Today, we rank the top 100 players in the Class of 2024. The list features some of the best young talent in the state of Illinois, led by 5-11 setter/rightside hitter Ellie White, who had more than 500 kills and 280 digs this fall to lead Mother McAuley to the IHSA Class 4A championship game.The list also includes some of the best power hitters in the state regardless of class, ...

Grace Egan, who was instrumental in Sterling's second consecutive IHSA Class 3A championship in 2019, toils for 1st Alliance 17 Gold during the club season. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Today, Illprepvb.com ranks the top 100 players in the Class of 2023.The list features more than a dozen players who have already committed to Division I schools, led by 6-3 outside hitter and Florida recruit Kira Hutson /(Team One VBC), who led Metea Valley to an IHSA Class 4A championship in the school’s first-ever appearance downstate.Also at the top of the lis...

Jessica Horwath, the leading attacker on Barrington's IHSA Class 4A semifinalist, is foregoing club volleyball this season to train for a possible college career in beach volleyball. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Jessica Horwath was invited to participate in the USA Volleyball National Beach Volleyball Team Development Program in late September in Gulf Shores, Alabama. By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.comAfter leading Barrington to third place at the IHSA Class 4A state finals in November, Jessica Horwath will be looking to lift the Fil...

1st Alliance 15 Gold toppled previously unbeaten 1st Alliance 16 Gold Sunday on the first day of Windy City Power League play. 1st Alliance 16 Gold rolled through the field during the 16/15 Open seeding portion of the Windy City Power League, going 10-0 and winning nine of 10 matches in straight sets, including a 25-19, 26-24 victory over 1st Alliance 15 Gold on January 9.Not surprising, considering that 1st Alliance 16 Gold featured seven players from the Lions 15-1 team that finished fifth in the 15 Open division at the 2021 USAV Girls Ju...

Former Mother McAuley star Kayla Caffey played a big role in leading Nebraska to the NCAA championship match opposite Big Ten foe Wisconsin. (Photo courtesy of Nebraska athletics) Nebraska middle blocker Kayla Caffey By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comFormer Mother McAuley star Kayla Caffey’s road to the NCAA championship match was full of twists and turns.And she may not be done yet.Caffey played a pivotal role in leading Nebraska to the championship match against Wisconsin, played before a crowd of 18,755 at Nationwide Arena on De...

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...

April Rice (second from right), a freshman setter at Lemont High School and Adversity G15 Adidas, recently returned from attending the National Team Development Program in Anaheim, California. Lemont's April Rice and U.S. Women's National Team coach Karch Kiraly. By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.comApril Rice traveled a long way over the Christmas break.Her game followed suit.Rice, a 5-foot-10 freshman setter from Lemont and Adversity G15 Adidas, spent the week between Christmas and New Year’s at the women’s Olympic Training Center in...