Volleyball, basketball, softball, classroom: Oak Lawn’s Kaitlyn Berkery excels at all

Oak Lawn's Kaitlyn Berkery (lower right) and her teammates celebrate a point during a recent win. By the end of the school year, Berkery will have earned 12 varsity letters. Oak Lawn will host the Spartan Classic this weekend. Oak Lawn's Kaitlyn Berkery By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.com Oak Lawn senior outside hitter Kaitlyn Berkery estimated she stopped growing during her sophomore year.Yet her athleticism – and determination – continues to expand.The 5-foot-5 Berkery is a rarity – an average-sized player at a position pop...

Carl Sandburg tabs Madisen Babich to lead the school’s boys volleyball program

Former Lyons Township and Cal State-Fullerton standout (far right) and current Downers Grove South girls volleyball head coach Madisen Babich has been named the new boys volleyball coach at Carl Sandburg. Madisen Babich Former Lyons Township and Cal State-Fullerton standout and current Downers Grove South girls volleyball coach Madisen Babich has been named the new head boys volleyball coach at Carl Sandburg High School in Orland Park.Babich succeeds long-time boys coach David Vales, who recently successfully completed his second battle...

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...

Here are the latest Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com Girls H.S. Rankings

Lynney Tarnow (12) and Benet Academy defeated Lincoln-Way East, 25-16, 25-10, to win last weekend's Wheaton Classic. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe IHSA released the sectional assignments for the 2024 IHSA Girls Volleyball Tournament last week, and to almost no one’s surprise, they look almost the same as last year. The more we look, the more the same they look.Not that we would expect anything different.But next year, when the current two-year enrollment classification period expires, a few changes...

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-...

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...

Monday, September 23 results

Notice the shoes? Shortly after earning coach Lee Rucinski his 300th career win Saturday at Oak Lawn, the girls from Providence Catholic dressed for some homecoming magic in style and comfort. Monday, September 23 results (Augusta) Southeastern def. Mendon Unity 25-9. 25-17(Augusta) Southeastern (16-1 overall, 1-0 in the West Central Conference): Amanda Stephens (16 kills, 8 assists, 13 digs), Kara Stephens (14 assists).Bismarck Henning-Rossville Alvin def. Milford 25-13, 23-25, 25-20Milford (1-9 overall, 0-2 in the Vermilion Valley Con...

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...