Former Murphysboro coach Mike Layne had plenty to celebrate during his 20 years as head coach of the Red Devils. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorSix years ago, Illprepvb.com was approached to collaborate on the creation of an Illinois High School Volleyball Coaches Hall of Fame.Unfortunately, at the time, nothing ever came of that phone call. But we felt that the creation of a coaches’ Hall of Fame was long overdue.In July 2020, with input from current and former coaches, players and officials, Illprepvb.com put together the in...
Top Notch 15U Elite, 1st Alliance 15 Onyx close the book on 2024 girls club season
Top Notch 15 Elite, based in Springfield, finished fifth in the LIberty division at the USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorGame over.The USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Championship 14-17s at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, are in the books.The final chapter was written Thursday with the conclusion of play in the various 15...
Tuesday, May 28 sectional results
Glenbard West's Xzavion Willet out the exclamation point on the Hilltoppers' 25-19, 25-19 victory over Downers Grove North during Tuesday's sectional championship match at Bolingbrook. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Tuesday, May 28 resultsBolingbrook sectional An IHSA tournament without Glenbard West? The Hilltoppers are making their 10th consecutive trip to Hoffman Estates this weekend. Glenbard West def. Downers Grove North 25-19, 25-19Glenbard West (35-3 overall, 6-0 in the West Suburban Silver): Jack Anderson (24 assists, 2 digs, 2 bloc...
Willett, Glenbard West deny Downers North; York, Bute party like it’s 1999
Downers Grove North's 6-5 junior outside hitter Aiden Akkawi hits over the block of Glenbard West's Brayden Tejeda (11) and Casey Maas (1) Tuesday at Bolingbrook. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepbvb.com Over the past decade, many teams have tried to block Glenbard West's path to the IHSA finals. But with a block like the Hilltoppers had Tuesday night, that's a nearly impossible task.Glenbard West came up big at the net and defeated Downers Grove North, 25-19, 25-19, in Tuesday’s championship match of the ...
Belleville East’s Werner is the Ultimate VBC/Illprepvb.com Player of the Week
Belleville East's August Werner, who has set a program record for most kills in a career, is this week's Ultimate VBC.Illprepvb.com Player of the Week. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorTournament champions. Conference champions. Regional champions. Sectional finalists.Belleville East (33-4) is having a season for the record books, and the driving force behind the Lancers’ excellence this spring is 6-1 outside hitter August Werner.A three-year varsity starter, Werner recently surpassed 900 career kills, the first player in Bell...
Eastside VBC doubles its fun in Orlando, but Belusa’s day is an absolute Classic
Belusa United 18 Cycloes, who wn the 18 Girls division at the 2024 ASICS Junior National Volleyball Championships at Navy PIer earlier this month, capped off a 68-10 season Thursday by winning the 18 Classic division at the AAU Girls Junior National Volleyball Championships in Orlando, Florida. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorOrlando, Florida – Eastside Volleyball Club in East Peoria had a great day Thursday at the AAU Girls Junior National Volleyball Championships at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.But Bel...
Here are a few tips on how to get college volleyball coaches interested in you
College coaches scout for players with not only exceptional skills, but also strong academics and the right team fit. Dreaming of hitting, setting or digging your way onto a college team?You're not alone. College volleyball recruiting is a competitive and strategic process. To stand out, you need to serve more than just aces on the court. It's about showcasing your skills, networking effectively, and understanding the landscape of college volleyball recruiting rankings for 2024 and beyond. Let’s break down the steps to increase your...
History, mystery shroud final 2024 Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb Boys Club Rankings
Windy City Premier B17 was one of three Illinois teams to win a national championship at the 2024 AAU Boys Junior National Championships in Ortland, Florida. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor2009.Fourteen years. Fourteen national tournaments (the 2020 national championships were cancelled due to COVID).2009.That was the last time an Illinois team failed to reach the 18 Open championship quarterfinals of either a USAV or AAU boys national tournament. There was even a run of five years between 2012-2016 when two Illinois teams adv...
Loyola ends St. Francis’ Cinderella run; Marist, Glenbard West, York reach semis
York sophomore Ben Brown (12) had 9 kills as the Dukes defeated Lincoln-Way West, 25-17, 25-17, in Friday's final IHSA quarterfinal at Hoffman Estates. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorLoyola Academy has had some “studs” come through its volleyball program through the years – players like 2014 Sun-Times Player of the Year and three-time Pepperdine All-American David Wieczorek and Quincy University standout Collin Merk.But somebody would always get in the Ramblers' way come IHSA tournament time.“We lost fi...
MOD Elite B18 Blue tops Pre-national Michio/Illprepvb Boys Club Rankings
MOD Elite B18 Blue went 6-0 to win the 18 Open division at the 2024 AAU/JVA Windy City Round-Up last weekend at McCormick Place. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorMOD is ready to rumble.MOD Elite B18 Blue wrapped up the regular boys’ club season Sunday by sweeping five of its six opponents to win the 18 Open division at the 2024 AAU/JVA Windy City Round-Up last weekend at McCormick Place.MOD dropped only one set during the two-day affair, beating SPVB B18 Lenny, 25-23, 19-25, 15-10, in a Gold bracket semifinal Sunday.“The boys ha...