Carly Whitaker (left) and the Morton Potters plan to get stronger as the season wears on and make another run at Redbird Arenal, (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe 2024 girls high school volleyball season got underway last week with the start of practice/tryouts, and 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.So, here is (almost) everything you need to kno...
Niepagen, Saints surprise Williamsville; Benet stymies Oak Park-River Forest
Setter Lauren O'Brien (9) led No. 10-ranked Bloomington Central Catholic to a 25-12, 25-21 victory over No. 3 Williamsville on Tuesday in Bloomington. (Photo by Randy Sharer) By Randy SharerSpecial to Illprepvb.comBLOOMINGTON – The Williamsville High School volleyball team had the will, but not the height to avoid a 25-12, 25-21 loss at Bloomington Central Catholic on Tuesday.The showdown between Class 2A powers saw the visiting Bullets come in ranked No. 3 by Illprepvb.com compared to the host Saints at No. 10.Central Catholic – with 6...
Fenton Bison Blast-Off
Presenting the Michio Chicago/Illprepvb 2024 Girls H.S. Preseason Rankings
Marist hopes to end Mother McAuley's run of consecutive Class 4A championships should the two teams meet during the IHSA tournament. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor In our 2023 preseason rankings, Illprepvb.com accurately predicted eight of the 16 IHSA semifinalists – no easy feat since we don’t know who will be assigned where and which sectionals will match up in the supersectional.Those eight teams included the eventual IHSA champions in Class 2A (Breese Mater Dei), 3A (St. Francis) and 4A (Mother McAuley). We also accu...
Tuesday, August 27 results
A Waubonsie Valley attacker tries to hit over the block from a pair of Oswego defenders in a nonconference match Tuesday at Oswego. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Tuesday, August 27 results (Augusta) Southeastern def. Pittsfield 25-13, 25-15(Augusta) Southeastern (1-0 overall, 0-0 in the West Central Conference): Amanda Stephens (16 kills, 8 assists), Kara Stephens (8 kills, 11 assists, 8 digs, 3 blocks).Batavia def. West Aurora 23-25, 25-23, 25-22Batavia (1-0 overall, 0-0 in the DuKane Conference): Hallie Crane (8 kills), McKenna Bremner (7 ki...
Wednesday, August 28 results
Barrington, which has made three consecutive trips to the IHSA Class 4A semifinals, began its quest for trip No. 4 in a row with a 26-24, 25-20 victory over Stevenson Wednesday in Lincolnshire. Wednesday, August 28 results Barrington def. Stevenson 26-24, 25-20Barrington (1-0 overall, 0-0 in the Mid-Suburban West): Whitney Mall (4 kills, 1 service point, 2 blocks), Addie Brookbank (8 kills, 3 digs, 3 service points), Kalyn Brookbank (4 kills), Jaelyn Connole (3 kills, 11 assists, 2 digs, 2 aces, 8 service points), Alex Pelletiere (1...
‘Relaxed’ Stephens wants one more shot; previewing Normal West, WW South; more
Wheaton Warrenville South coach Bill Schreier has the pieces. Now it's just a matter of putting them together. (Cover photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe 2024 girls high school volleyball season got underway last week with the start of practice/tryouts, and today Illprepvb.com concludes 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.So, here is (almost) everything you need to know about...
Fairfield Kickoff Classic
Friday, August 30 results
Friday's results Sandburg def. Plainfield North 25-16, 25-16Lockport def. Sandburg 25-22, 27-25Sandburg (2-2 overall, 0-0 in the Southwest Suburban Conference): Lucie Chicvara (12 kills), Morgan Begley (10 aces), Ellery Dyra (4 aces, 4 kills, 3 blocks). Lockport def. Grayslake North 25-10, 25-9Lockport (1-1 overall, 0-0 in the Southwest Suburban Conference): Mikayla Marshall (5 kills), Jenna Kolosta (4 kills, 4 blocks), Natalie Bochantin (11 assists, 2 aces).Lockport def. Sandburg 25-22, 27-25Lockport (2-1 overa...
Monday, August 26 results
Loyola Academy is one of the 32 teams that will be competing in the 2024 Mizuno Crimson Classic hosted by Plainfield North and sponsored by Sports Performance VBC and Illprepvb.com that will be played at the Great Lakes Volleyball Center in Aurora Friday and Saturday. Monday, August 26 resultsBloomington Central Catholic def. Deer Creek-Mackinaw 25-12, 25-20Bloomington Central Catholic (1-0 overall, 0-0 in the Illini Prairie Conference): Kampbell Niepagen (8 kills), Aubrey Fair (7 kills), Makayla Wieduwilt (11 digs). Lauren O’Brien (21 ass...