Crystal Lake South's freshman outside hitter Bobbi Wire (16) goes up for a kill against a pair of Huntley defenders. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) y Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorIt’s hard to imagine any freshman class having the impact on their varsity teams the way the Class of 2026 had one year ago.That class of freshmen included St. Charles North’s Haley Burgdorf, Benet Academy’s Lynney Tarnow, Marist’s Elayna Davidson, Lincoln-Way East’s Maggie Simon, Geneseo’s Lizzie Rapps, St. Thomas More’s Cassidy Monahan, Normal U-High’s...
Hersey’s van den Herik plans a comeback; Burgdorf embraces underdog role
Hersey captured the title of its siix-team round robin turnament Saturday while awaiting word on the future of 6-1 outside hitter Claie Van den herik (8). By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorNever bet against Hersey’s Claire van den Herik.Van den Herik, a 6-1 outside hitter, was poised to make a triumphant return to the court this fall after an ACL tear to her left knee during a summer league game prior to last season robbed her of her junior year.“I went up (for a kill), then all of a sudden when I came down, I heard a pop,” van den Her...
Bullington, Marist take down McAuley; Benet pulls inside job on Glenbard West
The MVP of the Crimson Classic hosted by Plainfield North earlier this year, Marist's Bella Bullington lit up Mother McAuley to the tune of 25 kills Thursday in the RedHawks' 25-20, 24-26, 25-16 victory. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comBella Bullington brought it. Did she ever.The 6-1 junior outside hitter put down a staggering 25 kills as Marist defeated Mother McAuley, 25-20, 24-26, 25-16, in the always intense neighborhood match before a raucous crowd Thursday on 99th and Pulaski.It was the first loss ...
Day One: David Vales won’t let cancer steal his hope, his joy, or his love
David Vales has been a positive influence on young people throughout his 27-year career of coaching boys and girls volleyball and teaching math at Sandburg High School in Orland Park. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Sandburg boys' and girls' volleyball coach David Vales. By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.comDay One.That’s the motto Sandburg volleyball coach David Vales has lived by since the beginning of 2020, when he decided to change his mindset.“That year I gave up pizza, sweets, pop and fast food for the whole year, even before COVID,”...
Saturday, September 23 results
Watseka defeated Paxton-Buckley-Loda on Saturday to win the championship of the 40th Annual Watseka Volleyball Tournament. Saturday, September 23 results (updated 11:35 p.m., Saturday, September 23)At Hersey Final standingsHersey 5-0St. Charles North 4-1Naperville North 3-2Antioch 2-3Lake Forest 1-4Evanston 0-5At RochesterMetamora def. Rochester 25-14, 25-19Metamora (15-3 overall, 6-0 in the Mid-Illini Conference): Esma Frieden (9 kills), Avery Bedwell (8 assists, 2 blocks), Bella Gregory (10), Ryan Schwarz (3 aces).Metamora ...
Friday, September 22 results
Friday, September 22 results At Kaneland Pool AKaneland def. Neuqua Valley 26-24, 25-16Kaneland def. Batavia 25-15, 25-13Kenwood def. Batavia 10-25, 25-13, 15-12 Kaneland (13-6 overall, 2-1 in the Interstate Eight Conference).Pool BGeneseo def. Aurora Central Catholic 25-10, 19-25, 15-9Downers Grove North def. Geneseo 25-11, 25-14Downers Grove North def. Yorkville 25-18, 25-14Note: Play resumes Saturday at 8:00 a.m.At Champaign CentralChampaign Central def. Decatur St. Teresa 23-25, 25-18, 25-8Decatur St. Teresa (3-13 overall...
Thursday, September 21 results
Thornton Fractional South and middle hitter A'Niah Johnson (9) lost to Lemont on Thursday. (Photo b Dave Ruggles) Thursday, September 21 results (updated 11:40 a.m., Friday, September 22)Argenta-Oreana def. Tri-County 25-19, 16-25, 25-14Tri-County (3-9 overall, 1-4 in the Lincoln Prairie Conference): Briana Reese (1 ace, 6 kills, 15 digs, 1 assist), Josie Armstrong (1 ace, 7 kills, 3 digs, 2 blocks, 1 assist), Carleigh Clifton (3 kills, 1 block, 6 digs), Cara Phillips (1 ace, 3 blocks, 8 digs), Shaylen Christenberry (2 aces, 2 kills, 4 ...
Wednesday, September 20 results
West Aurora and junior standout Maureen Pokryfke fell to Minooka in three sets Wednesday. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Wednesday, September 20 results (updated 11:30 a.m., Thursday, September 21)Annawan def. Princeville 25-21, 25-9Annawan (15-3 overall, 4-0 in the Lincoln Trail Conference).Belvidere North def. Rockford Auburn 25-16, 25-16Belvidere North (15-2 overall, 10-0 in the NIC-10 Conference).Benet Academy def. St. Charles North 25-12, 21-25, 25-17Benet Academy (16-1 overall, 2-0 in the East Suburban Catholic Conference): Elle Stiernag...
Bloomington/Normal Intercity Tournament
Here are the latest Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com Girls H.S. Rankings
Junior libero Mari Rodriguez and the undefeated Huntley Red Raiders host Barrington on Wednesday in a remacth of last year's supersectional meeting at Dundee-Crown. (Photo by Dave Ruggles). By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor“Well, at least we haven’t been sent to the ‘sectional of death.’”That’s how one suburban Chicago coach reacted to the release of the regional, sectional and supersectional sites by the IHSA last Friday. Similar sentiments are likely being felt by coaches throughout Illinois regardless of their team’s class, ...