Aris Maurukas (10) and the No. 18 Benet Academy Redwings went 4-0 at last weekend's tournament at Metea Valley. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorWhat’s going on?No sooner had the ink dried on last week’s rankings than five teams in the top 20 went down in flames. When the dust settled, only a handful escaped unscathed.That’s been the nature of the beast this season, however.Teams are trending upward. Teams are trending downward. Every team has flaws, blemishes, minor imperfections. No team is unbeatable. ...
Homewood-Flossmoor goes overtime (and then some) to overcome Sandburg
Sandburg junior Jeremiah Aro (airborne left) had 11 kills to pace the Eagles, but it wasn't enough as Homewood-Flossmoor prevailed Tuesday in Orland Park, 25-22, 18-25, 31-29. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comWhen Homewood-Flossmoor opened the season by winning 18 of its first 20 matches, the Vikings looked like shoe-ins to topple the program’s season record for victories. However, after a down stretch, the record started to seem unattainable.But the Vikings dug deep and found a way to win a big Southwest S...
Tuesday, May 7 results
Junior Maximo Venegas (10, far court) and Romeoville were scheduled to play Joliet Central in the Southwest Prairie Conference on Tuesday. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Tuesday, May 7 results Bolingbrook def. Lincoln-Way Central 25-14, 25-14Bolingbrook (23-7 overall, 2-3 in the Southwest Suburban Conference): Charlie Bialek (7 kills, 1 block), Tristan Benbow (6 kill, 1 block), Tristan Caminar (5 kills, 1 block, 1 ace), Trevor Wardlow (3 kills), Jacqson LeSure (3 kills, 1 block), Connor Dmochowski (20 assists, 7 digs), Tyler Vasquez (9 digs...
Monday, May 6 results
Glenbrook South coach Annie Kotsadam earned her 100th career victory with Friday's win over Loyola Academy. Monday, May 6 results Bremen def. Crete-Monee 25-22, 25-16Bremen (8-12 overall, 2-4 in the South Suburban Conference).Chicago Christian def. Tinley Park 19-25, 25-21, 25-13Chicago Christian (13-17 overall, 4-4 in Chicagoland Christian Conference): Malachi Krestel (23 assists, 7 digs, 3 aces), Sam Jager (16 digs, 1 kill), Jared Hall (12 kills, 9 digs, 1 ace).(Chicago) Washington def. Chicago Academy 25-18, 25-14(Chicago) Washing...
Saturday, May 4 results
Benet Academy libero Ryan Pecak (6) sells out to get to a ball during play at the Metea Valley Invite on Saturday. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Saturday, May 4 results York def. Barrington 25-14, 22-25, 25-21 (championship)Barrington (19-8 overall, 8-0 in the Mid Suburban League Conference): Cole Hartke (21 kills, 2 digs, 2 aces), Adrian Wu (19 assists), Carson Skinner (9 assists, 1 dig), Gavin Rohlwing (5 blocks, 2 assists), Eli Rodda (8 kills, 1 dig, 3 aces, 1 block), Aidan Gilmore (1 dig, 1 assis...
Willowbrook Invitational
York’s top Duke Jack Bute is the Ultimate VBC/Illprepvb.com Player of the Week
York's Jack Bute went from freshman 'B' team setter to one of the top outside hitters in Illinois. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorJack Bute began his high school career buried in the recesses of fieldhouses throughout the western suburbs as a setter on York’s freshman “B” team. But he developed one indispensable skill going into his sophomore year.“I brought Jack up as a sophomore due to his great serve receive, and he killed it in his sophomore year in that role,” said York coach Ken Dowdy. “Talk about an underclassman wh...
York rallies late in third set, slips past Barrington for Northside Classic title
Junior middle hitter Matthew Swiatkowski (9) and the Benet Redwings competed in the tournament at Metea Valley on Saturday. On the home page, Geneva's Jack Malley (left) tries to get a kill past a crowd at the net at the Metea Valley tournament. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor The heavily-bandaged right hand of York’s Jack Bute is testament to the power of Barrington’s 6-10 outside hitter Cole Hartke. Bute suffered an injury to his hand trying to block Hartke during club practice a few months ago.Hartke...
Beach volleyball explodes on college level, providing more opportunities for girls
Jessica Horwath, who led Barrington to consecutive IHSA Class 4A third-place finishes, is now playing beach volleyball at the University of Arizona where she posted a 20-11 record as a freshman. (Photo courtesy of the University of Arizona Athletic Department) Editor's note: The 2024 National Collegiate Beach Volleyball Chamionship gets underway Friday at Gulf Place in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Beach volleyball, also known as sand volleyball, has been gaining popularity on the college level in recent years. With its fast-paced, exciting gam...
Friday, May 3 results
Plainfield South's Dominic Krejci (21) tries to work around the block of Plainfield East's Evan Whaley (29) and Braxton Francis (4) during Thursday's game in the Southwest Prairie Conference. Plainfield South is competing in the Metea Valley Invite on Saturday. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Friday's results York def. Lake Zurich 25-18, 25-21York (23-4 overall, 2-2 in the West Suburban Silver): Jack Bute (9 kills, 6 digs), Luke Shorter (3 kills, 5 digs), Ben Brown (7...