Willowbrook coach Irene Mason said that having fun is one of the keys to her team's postseason success. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorNORMAL – So what do you do when you’re making your first trip to the IHSA girls volleyball semifinals?“Rest is a part of it,” said coach Irene Mason, who is taking Willowbrook to a place no team from Villa Park has gone before. “I want to make sure their bodies are rested. There's a lot of sickness out there. I want to make sure their bodies and minds are healthy and relaxed and...
Fast-growing Hybrid Advantage taps into rich talent pool on the southwest side
Hybrid Advantage 161 finished 33rd in the 16 Open division at the 50th AAU Boys National Volleyball Championship last summer in Orlando, Florida, the first year of the club's existence. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorLate last summer, the Nebraska women’s volleyball team drew more than 92,000 fans to Memorial Stadium to watch the Huskers play the University of Nebraska-Omaha.But the concept of playing a volleyball match outdoors at a football stadium may not have originated with Nebraska.At least that’s Brandon McGinnis’ stor...
Friday, October 20 results
IC Catholic Prep's Ava Falduto, who is committed to Penn State as a libero, reached 1,000 kills for her career last week. Friday, October 20 resultsGlenbard West def. Stevenson 27-25, 25-22Stevenson (28-7 overall, 6-1 in the North Suburban Conference): Brynn Smith (7 kills, 8 digs, 2 blocks), Mija Jegers (10 kills, 2 blocks), Ava Wysocki (6 kills), Cayla Weisner (3 kills, 3 aces, 3 blocks), Adriana Voshtina (4 kills, 2 blocks), Alice Birtig (9 digs, 2 asst), Rachel Shin (13 assists,), Kyra Costabile (13 assists).Glenbard West (32-3 overall...
Thursday, October 26 results
Head coach Gary Mosley led Oswego to its first regional championship since 2011 when the Panthers defeated Plainfield North Thursday. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Thursday, October 26 results (updated 3:45 p.m., Friday, October 27)IHSA tournament (in bracket order)Class 1AAt (Augusta) Southeastern(Augusta) Southeastern def. Rushville/Industry 25-12, 25-14(Augusta) Southeastern (29-7-1 overall, 4-2 in the West Central Conference): Kenzie Griswold (13 kills, 8 digs), Kara Stephens (6 kills, 5 assists), Abigail Shaffer (5 kills, 15 assists,...
Spoken nearly 60 years ago, Jack Weinberg’s words still reverberate today
Lemont, which had perhaps its best chance to make its first-ever appearance in the IHSA finals since the program was established, was sidelined not by another team, but by the failure and vindictiveness of adults. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorOK, I admit it. I was part of the “Don't trust anyone over 30” generation.Jack Weinberg, a student activist at the University of California-Berkeley during the turbulent 1960s who is credited with authoring the phrase, made a few more converts this week.Tuesday, the Illinois High Schoo...
Sometimes the ball just falls your way. Just ask Barrington junior Whitney Mall
Barrington's 6-2 junior outside hitter Whitney Mall had 8 kills and 3 blocks in the Fillies' 25-14, 25-19 victory Monday at Wheaton Warrenville South. (File photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThere are times when you can only shrug your shoulders.“I'm so flabbergasted,” said Barrington’s 6-2 junior outside hitter Whitney Mall. “How did that even go over?”Mall’s kill attempt late in the second set was blocked at the net by a pair of defenders, but she had the presence of mind to push the ball back over net off on...
Thursday, October 19 results
Barrington's defensive specialist Sarah Jensen and the Fillies defeated Hersey on Thursday to win their second consecutive Mid-Suburban League championship. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Thursday, October 19 results (updated 11:55 a.m., Friday, October 20)Aquin Catholic def. Dakota 25-12, 25-21Aquin Catholic (23-7 overall, 9-3 in the Northwest Upstate Illini Conference): Ainsley Stovall (12 kills, 6 digs), Megan Holder (19 assists, 9 digs), Hanna Broge (5 kills, 5 digs).JV: Aquin won 25-16, 25-21 The Arthur Lovington-Atwood Hammond Knights...
Providence Catholic says ‘Good Knight’ to De La Salle to win GCAC White title
Providence Catholic, which won the Silver division at the Oak Lawn tournament earlier this season, will add another plaque to its collection after defeating De La Salle on Thursday to win the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference White Division. By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comSay good Knight. Abbey Knight sure did.The sophomore outside hitter had a season-high 18 kills, and outside hitter Payton Mandac added 13 kills as Providence rallied for a 19-25, 25-22, 25-21 victory over De La Salle Thursday in New Lenox.With the win, the Celt...
Get better? You could say that about ASICS Challenge champion Mother McAuley
Mother McAuley junior Abigail Willilams slams a kill past a Divine Savior Holy Angels defender during Saturday's semifinal. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorMother McAuley coach Jen DeJarld’s goal for her team this weekend at the ASICS Challenge was two-fold: get better and advance to the final four.“Where we go from there (the final four), I wasn't sure,” she said. “We've been working on a defense and blocking. I think we’re a pretty strong team offensively, but defensively, we needed to be better.“I ...
