Where are Illinois’ top boys volleyball recruits in the Class of ’23 headed?

(Updated 5/19) Hononegah's Brayden Savitski-Lynde (far left), who plays club for 630 Volleyball VBC, has committed to Ball State University. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Illprepvb.com is creating a list of the top Illinois boys volleyball players from the Class of 2023 and beyond who have committed to a college or university to continue their volleyball careers. If you are a coach, club director or parent and know of a player who should be on this list, please contact us at Illprepvb@gmail.com.Class of 2023Aaron Amawan, S, Bartlett/Pipeline VBC,...

Where are Illinois’ top girls’ volleyball recruits in the Class of ’23, ’24, ’25 headed?

(Updated 7/26) Benet Academy's 5-8 junior libero Aniya Warren from the Class of 2025 and 1st Alliance VBC has committed to Indiana University. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Illprepvb.com is creating a list of the top players in Illinois in the Classes of 2023, 2024 and 2025 who have committed to a college or university to continue their volleyball careers. All coaches and club directors have been invited to provide the names of their players who should be on the list. The attached list features the names of players that have been submitted so fa...

Jansen, Hamaker come to the aid of SPVB 18 Elite at 2023 Presidents Day Challenge

Plainfield North outside hitter Lauren Jansen has helped SPVB 18 Elite remain unbeaten through six matches at the 2023 SPVB Presidents Day CHallenge at the Great Lakes Volleyball Center in Aurora. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorYou can’t tell the players without a scorecard. At least not all of them.The 2023 SPVB Presidents Day Challenge at the Great Lakes Volleyball Center on Saturday is proving challenging not only for the players, but for fans as well as a number of players from the host club have ...

Here are the latest (and last for now) 1st Alliance VBC/Illprepvb Boys Club Rankings

MOD Elite B15 Blue, which has gone on hiatus until the 2023 AAU/JVA Windy City Roundup at McCormick Place on June 17-18, won nine of its final 10 matches prior to the break including a victory over previously No. 1-ranked SPVB B15 Elite. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjZLTQ90xMQ By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorLast weekend’s 2nd City Showdown marked the end of the boys club season – with a few notable exceptions – until the boys high school season concludes in early June.So, these will be the final 1st Alliance VBC/Illprepv...

Presenting the initial '23 1st Alliance VBC/Illprepvb.com Girls Club Rankings

Michio Chicago 15 National's Cassidy Cage (28) challenges the block attempt of Illini Elite 16 Cardinal's Peyton Sasse during Windy City Power League play on Sunday, February 5. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) https://youtu.be/WQXxDUD-2kg Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorEnough time has passed (or has it?) to take a swing at ranking Illinois’ girls club teams.Two have already qualified for the 2023 Girls 18s National Championship in Columbus, Ohio, April 28-30 – 1st Alliance 18 Gold and VC United 182 Elite -- while rarely a weekend goes...

Sports Performance’s 18 girls, boys win 2023 SPVB Presidents Day Challenge titles

SPVB 18 Elite's Audrey Brcka (Wheaton North) overcomes the block of a pair of defenders during action at the 2023 SPVB Presidents Day Challenge. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorKitty Sandt was happy simply to be back on the court.Winning the 18/17 Girls division at the 2023 SPVB Presidents Day Challenge was a bonus.“We had a month off,” said Sandt, SPVB 18 Elite’s 5-11 setter and the tournament MVP. “I think we really improved since then because we've been really training hard. But it was nice to finally play so...

Pipeline throws a wrench into Adversity 16 Adidas-South works at 2nd City Showdown

Adversity 16 Adidas-South rebounded from an early loss to Pipeline 16-1 to go 2-1 in Power Pool 1 at the 2nd City Showdown on Saturday. https://youtu.be/CjZLTQ90xMQ By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor It was a mixed bag for the locals Saturday in the 16 Open division at the 2nd City Showdown played at the CSO Sports Multiplex on East 43rd Street on Chicago’s south side.Top-seeded Adversity 16 Adidas-South, which came into play 38-3, finished 2-1 in Power Pool 1, losing its opener to Pipeline 16-1. Second-seeded 630 Volleyball 16-...

Up, down and out … just another Sunday at Windy City Power League 16/15 Open

Fusion 16 Dawgs' Elissa Furlan (Richmond-Burton) passes a ball from the back row during the Marengo club's match with MOD Elite G16 Blue Sunday at the 1`st Alliance Training Facility in Woodridge. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor“One day you're up and the next day you're down …” Maybe the Blues Magoos were on to something back in 1967, because the lyrics to their one-hit rock wonder, “We Ain’t Got Nothin’ Yet,” off the album “Psychedelic Lollipop” and popularized in the movie “Easy Rider,” describe perfectly S...

Family atmosphere keeps IPV players at home; close ones now go Fusion’s way

IPV (Illinois Performance Volleyball) 18 HP https://youtu.be/yMIu7B52akg By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorIPV (Illinois Performance Volleyball) 18 HP’s Sarah Schmidt can’t imagine playing anywhere else.“I knew a girl in middle school who went there,” said the 5-10 setter from Rosary. “So, I went and really liked it. I stayed because of the small atmosphere. I know all the coaches and all the coaches know me. My current coach has known me since I was a 12-year-old.“It’s a really close community,” she added. “The girls...