Normal U-High tops Bloomington Central Catholic, survives Intercity gauntlet

Bloomington Central Catholic setter Lauren O'Brien (9) battled against Normal University High in the 45th Bloomington-Normal Intercity Tournament at Normal Community High School on Monday. U-High repeated as champion while Central Catholic tied for second with Normal West and Normal Community. (Photo by Randy Sharer) By Randy SharerSpecial to Illprepvb.comNORMAL – The 45th annual Bloomington-Normal Intercity Tournament, featuring three teams ranked in the top five of three different classes, came to a jubilant conclusion for Normal Universi...

Lincoln-Way East’s Tamia Maddox is the Ultimate VBC/Illprepvb Player of the Week

Tamia Maddox (12) led Lincoln-Way East to eight victories over a recently-completed eight-day stretch during which the Griffins' lone loss was to Benet Acadeny in the finals of the Wheaton Classic. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorNine matches in eight days would test any team’s physical and mental endurance.But not if they have Tamia Maddox on their side of the net.“She's the one who keeps our team motivated,” said Lincoln-Way East coach Sean Burns. “She’s always very vocal … keeping the girls focused.”L...

Monday, September 30 results

Rightside hitter Jade Curtis (11, far right) and the Westmont Sentinels were scheduled to visit (Deerfield) Rochelle Zell in the Chicago Prep Conference on Monday. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Monday, September 30 resultsArthur Lovington-Atwood Hammond def. Monticello 25-17, 25-17Arthur Lovington-Atwood Hammond (12-4 overall, 5-0 in the Lincoln Prairie Conference): Karaline Vanausdoll (10 digs, 3 assists), Mackenzie Condill (6 digs), Sara Herschberger (3 digs), Summer Melton (1 ace, 5 kills, 3 digs), Bella Romine (3 kills, 1 block), Addison Yeak...

Presenting this week’s Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com Girls H.S. Rankings

Mother McAuley libero Samantha Falk and the Mighty Macs defeated Marist, 27-25, 25-23, in front of a packed house on 115th and Pulaski Road last Thursday. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThirteen in-state schools will join 11 schools from throughout the Midwest and Florida for the annual ASICS Challenge this weekend at Mother McAuley.The local hopefuls include Downers Grove North, Huntley, Joliet Catholic Academy, Marist, Minooka,Mother McAuley, Montini, Nazareth Academy, New Trier, Sandburg, St. Charl...

Once, twice, three times Lincoln-Way East goes the distance at Joliet West quad

Lincoln-Way East won three-three-set matches Saturday at the quadrangular hosted by Joliet West. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorTired legs. Weary arms.Playing its seventh, eighth and ninth matches in eight days, Lincoln-Way East had plenty of reason to throw the towel at some point during the quadrangular Saturday hosted by Joliet West and featuring Downers Grove North and Moline.But the Griffins refused to fold, gutting out three three-set matches to improve to 16-3 overall and remain 2-0 in the Southwest Suburban Conference.Lincoln-...

Saturday, September 28 results

Moline made a 280-mile round trip to compete in the Joliet West quadrangular Saturday. Saturday, September 28 results At Joliet West Lincoln-Way East def. Downers Grove North 26-24, 24-26, 25-20Lincoln-Way East (14-3 overall, 2-0 in the Southwest Suburban Conference): Tamia Maddox (13 kills, 12 digs), Brooklyn Ritter (21 assists), Stella Drozd (23 digs), Alaina Pollard (9 kills), Kolby Ross (8 kills) Maddie Hellrung (4 kills, 4 blocks).Lincoln-Way East def. Joliet West 26-28, 25-20, 25-21Lincoln-Way East (15-3 overall, 2-0 in the...

Mother McAuley earns south side bragging rights (for now) at Marist

Marist's 6-2 middle blocker Cassidy Cage (23) had 5 kills and 5 blocks, but Mother McAuley prevailed 26-24, 25-23, in front of a packed house Thursday at Marist. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comWhen Marist and Mother McAuley tangle on the volleyball court, they come from near and far to witness it.“It's always intense, it's always tough,” said Mother McAuley coach Jen DeJarld. “There's a lot of pride on the south side. It's always fun to see the alumni here. We had an alumnus who now lives in Alaska come here...

Addi Eisenmann brings farm-kid grit, work ethic to Mahomet-Seymour

Mahomet-Seymour High School volleyball team captain Adaline (Addi) Eisenmann has shown champion pigs, cattle and sheep at livestock shows in Missouri, Indiana and Illinois for a decade. Adaline (Addi) Eisenmann, right, has honed her skills as a senior libero at Mahomet-Seymour High School by training with the Prime Time Volleyball Club in Champaign. Her other passion is showing champion sheep, cattle and pigs at livestock shows throughout the Midwest. By Randy SharerSpecial to Illprepvb.comMAHOMET – Building a capable volleyball player ...

Friday, September 27 results

Friday, September 27 results At Champaign Central Bolingbrook def. Carterville 25-18, 25-19Bolingbrook (10-8 overall, 2-2 in the Southwest Prairie Conference).Bolingbrook def. Champaign Centennial 25-18, 25-22Bolingbrook (11-8 overall, 2-2 in the Southwest Prairie Conference).At Rich TownshipMarian Catholic def. Bradley-Bourbonnais 15-25, 25-15, 15-12Marian Catholic (6-9 overall, 2-1 in the East Suburban Catholic Conference): Kaitlyn Nichols (8 assists, 7 digs, 3 aces), Chioma Nwagwu (4 kills), Zosia Helfen (4 kills), Sarah Gordon (19 di...