Setter Sarah Musial i(5) s one of only a few returning players for 2022 IHSA Class 4A semifinalist St. Charles East. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor The Illinios girls high school volleyball season begins in earnest in just a few days, and today Illprepvb.com continues its annual series of previews of the teams, players and coaches whose ultimate goal is a trip to Redbird (now CEFCU) Arena on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal. Here is nearly everything you need to know about m...
Thursday, May 11 results
Glenbard West's Adam Grahan (7) had 6 kills and 2 blocks as the Hilltoppers won their 32nd consecutive match, defeating Marist, 26-24, 25-23, Thursday in Glen Ellyn. (File photo by Dave Ruggles) Thursday, May 11 resultsBarrington def. Fremd 25-18, 18-25, 25-23Barrington (24-7 overall, 9-1 in the Mid-Suburban West): Evan Jackson (3 kills, 3 blocks), Carsten Wegh (11 kills, 5 assists,12 digs, 2 blocks), Adrian Wu (17 assists, 4 digs), Gavin Rohlwing (3 kills, 4 blocks, 1 dig), John Sun (4 kills, 4 digs, 1 block), Eli Rodda (3 kills, 1 blo...
Wednesday, April 26 results
Glenbrook South's Chance Shampine (7) had 10 kills, 8 assists and 4 digs in Tuesday's win over Warren. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Wednesday, April 26 resultsBenet Academy def. Metea Valley 25-20, 30-32, 26-24Benet Academy (11-7 overall, 1-1 in the East Suburban Catholic Conference): Thomas Galbraith (14 kills), Dominic Krzeczkowski (12 kills), Aris Maurukas (8 kills), Marty Radgowski (6 kills), Reed Hefley (20 assists), Jacob Olejnik (20 assists), Ryan Mitra (12 digs).Bolingbrook def. Chicago Christian 25-16, 25-15Chicago Christian (4-16-...
Arizona Storm brings the thunder, denies 1st Alliance 16 Gold a national title
1st Alliance 16 Gold reached the championship match of the 16 Open division at the USAV Girls Junior National Championship at McCormick Place on Thursday, but suffered a heartbreaking 27-25, 25-23 loss to sixth-seeded Arizona Storm 16 Thunder (Phoenix, Arizona). By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comA journey that started last November ended Thursday before a packed crowd on a highlighted court at McCormick Place. There, the 1st Alliance 16 Gold volleyball team lived up to its billing as the top-ranked team in the country and advanced...
Catching up with the girls’ club scene, including rankings and qualifiers
SPVB 18 White dropped only two sets while going 9-0 and winning the 18 Club division at last weekend's JVA World Challenge in Louisville, Kentucky. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorIt’s time to catch up with the girls’ club teams from Illinois or that feature several players from Illinois.To date, 11 teams in the 18s age group, ten 17s teams and six 16s have punched their tickets to the 2023 USAV Girls 18s Junior National Championship in Columbus, Ohio, on April 28-30, and the 2023 USAV Girls Junior 14s-17s National Championship at ...
Nathan Grutza does it all as Plainfield East stops Plainfield North in SPC finale
Plainfield East's Kendall Killins (2) had 11 kills in the Bengals' victory Thursday at Plainfield North. (File photo by Dave Ruggles) By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.comPlainfield East coach Jeff Wilkie left nothing to chance going into Thursday’s regular season finale against host Plainfield North.“We’ve been preparing for this all week, watching film,” Wilkie said. “I found a whole lot of crowd noise on a YouTube video and played it in our gym one day, just because of how loud it was in our gym last year when they were at our house.“I...
Saturday, April 22 results
Cole Hartke (19) and Barrington finished third Saturday at the Richard Griesheim Invitational hosted by Downers Grove South. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Saturday, April 22 results At Brother Rice Glenbard West def. Marist 25-22, 25-21Glenbard West (17-1 overall, 3-0 in the West Suburban Silver): Parker Moorhead (13 kills, 7 digs), Liam O'Neil (7 kills, 3 blocks, dig), Adam Graham (5 kills, 6 digs), Casey Mass (4 blocks, 4 digs), Xzavion Willett (3 kills, 3 blocks), Jack Anderson (30 assists, 2 kills), Andrew Ellis (9 digs)...
Saturday, April 29 results
Luke Pekol (16) and Joliet Catholic defeated Lincoln-Way West, 25-18, 25-21, to finish seventh at the Lincoln-Way East Invitational Saturday in Frankfort. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Saturday, April 29 resultsAt Lincoln-Way East Glenbard West def. Roncalli (Indianapolis, Indiana) 25-19, 25-15 (championship)Glenbard West (24-1 overall, 3-0 in the West Suburban Silver): Jack Anderson (20 assists, 2 kills, 2 blocks), Parker Moorhead (9 kills, 2 blocks, 1 ace), Adam Graham (8 kills, 1 block), Casey Maas (5 kills, 2 bocks...
Smiley, Kushner, SPVB 18 White hope to shine under the bright lights in Florida
Sydney Kushner (above, No. 2) and Cailey Smiley (home page, No. 14) and their SPVB 18 White teammates know their work is far from done despite their big win at the recent JVA World Challenge in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorRed, white and … feeling blue?Not in the plan for this crew.Cailyn Smiley, a 5-9 outside hitter from Oswego East, played for three different 18s teams at Sports Performance (18 Red, 18 White) as a junior, finally landing on the 18 Elite roster at the 49th AAU Girls Ju...
There’s no place like home, but if you can’t play here, then it’s ‘Viva Las Vegas’
Barrington's Jenna Meitzler (back row, fourth from left) and her Sky HIgh Adidas 17 Elite teammates opted to stay downtown during the USAV Girls Junior National Championship at McCormick Place this week, but some clocal lubs chose the creature comforts of home. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorIt’s easy to forget that with more than 50,000 people from all parts of the country descending on Chicago to participate as a player, coach or spectator at the 2023 USAV Girls Junior National Championship at McCormick Place, there were also ma...