Norris City-Omaha-Enfield's Hayden Knight (13) and the Cardinals were ambushed in an IHSA Class 1A supersectional by Effingham St. Anthony, but Jaclyn Melton's crew should be back in the championship hunt in 2024. (File photo by SDave Ruggles). By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorBefore the girls’ club season begins in earnest, it’s time to peer into the crystal ball and foretell which girls’ high school volleyball teams could make a run at the former Redbird (now CEFCU) Arena in the fall of ‘24.But first, some thoughts to ponder:Now that ...

One of the best liberos in the country, Benet Academy's Aniya Warren was named the MVP of every tournament in which the Redwings competed this season. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Today, we are pleased to announce the Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com 2023 Girls First, Second and Third All-State Volleyball Teams. Coaches across Illinois were invited to nominate players to the all-state team. Team members were selected based upon their accomplishments on the court and in the classroom as high school student-athletes, not on any future pote...

Cissna Park sophomore Addison Lucht (9) turned some heads at Redbird Arena during the IHSA Class 2A tournament. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Today, we are pleased to announce the Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com 2023 Girls Honorable Mention All-State Volleyball Team. Coaches across Illinois were invited to nominate players to the all-state team. Team members were selected based upon their accomplishments on the court and in the classroom as high school student-athletes, not on any future potential or current recruitment status. These p...

Rock Falls' libero Carlie Kobbeman set a new single-season school record with 385 digs for the IHSA Class 2A third-place Rockets. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Today, we are pleased to announce the Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com 2023 Girls Special Mention All-State Volleyball Team. Coaches across Illinois were invited to nominate players to the all-state team. Team members were selected based upon their accomplishments on the court and in the classroom as high school student-athletes, not on any future potential or current recruitment ...

Elllie White and Mother McAuley finished second at Autumnfest at Glenbard East, where they defeated Barrington, 25-18, 25-23, in the semifinals before losing to Benet Academy in the championship match, 25-22, 25-22. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.comThe power Mother McAuley’s Ellie White often unleashes with her right arm is a sight to behold.But that’s not the skill that sets the 5-foot-11 outside hitter apart from every other player in the state.No, it’s her consistency. White was like a human metro...

Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com 2022 Player of the Year Lucy Ardnt of Aquin Catholic (left) currently leads Southeast Missouri State University (20-8 overall) in kills with 392. (Photo courtesy of Southeast Missouri State University Athletics) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorDid you know that girls were not permitted to participate in interscholastic volleyball contests until 1973?Then during the 1974-75 school year, the IHSA sponsored its first volleyball tournament at Lantz Gymnasium on the campus of Eastern Illinois University....

Seeded eighth to begin the 2023 AAU/JVA Chi-Town Boys Challenge, a late Suinday loss to the eventual tournament runner-up dropped SPVB B18 Elite into the Silver bracket on Monday. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe question you had to ask yourself while running from one end of McCormick Place’s South Hall to the other Monday was, “What did we do before they put wheels on luggage?”Monday was getaway day at the 2023 AAU/JVA Chi-Town Boys Challenge, and if you did manage to avoid tripping over a stray piece of luggage, chances are you w...

Benet Academy junior outside hitter Audrey Asleson (7) had a team-high 17 kills in the IHSA Class 4A championship match Saturday at Redbird Arena. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorNORMAL -- Icing on the cake. Cherry on top.“Just coming back from last year, we knew we had a target on our back,” said Mother McAuley’s 5-11 outside hitter Ellie White. “Our goal the entire season has been to get back down here. This is just icing on the cake. Cherry on top.“Nothing is given,” added the Michigan-bound senior. “As ...