Simon Bratt, Wheaton Warrenville South light up Lyons for fourth win in row

Wheaon Warrenville South made it four in a row to start the young season, defeating visiting Lyons Township, 25-11, 25-21, on Thursday. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorYou never want to take any opponent lightly, but even with three earlier games on the schedule, Wheaton Warrenville South’s Simon Bratt admitted that Thursday’s visit by Lyons Township was the game the Tigers had been pointing to all week.“This entire week, as a team, we were looking forward to this,” Bratt said. “They (Lyons Township) were really good last year. I w...

Six returning starters with a ‘chip on their shoulders’ bodes well for York Dukes

York's Luke Shorter is one of several players back from last year's team hoping to make a run at the school's first IHSA quarterfinal appearance since 1999. (File photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorHow long has it been?There is not a single player on the York roster this season who was born the last time the Dukes appeared in an IHSA boys’ quarterfinal. There is a greater possibility that their parents were still in college, or perhaps in some cases, had not even met yet.The year was 1999. Behind Tim Geigner, Rich S...

The race begins … here’s a look at some of the teams that will take the floor in ’24

Barrington head coach Charlie Spry and the Broncos will seek their fourth IHSA quarterfinal berth in five years in 2024. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Notice: You may not distribute, modify, transmit, reuse, re-post, or use the content of the Site for public or commercial purposes, including the text, images, audio, and video, without Illprepvb.com, LLC’s written permission.By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorEvery team in Illinois has a story to tell, so we want to send out a big “Thank-you” to all those coaches who took the time to tell us the...

Kansas City here we come – 1st Alliance, SPVB and others bound for Triple Crown

Sidney Hamaker (17) and SPVB 18 Elite will compete in the Triple Crown NIT this weekend in Kansas City. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorTaking a peek at the pools and pairings for the 2024 Triple Crown NIT at the Bartle Hall Convention Center in Kansas City, Missouri, this weekend, we’re certain they must be determined by some kind of well-established mathematic formula.We’re just not sure even J. Robert Oppenheimer could figure them out.Nevertheless, the Triple Crown NIT, arguably the Midwest’s premi...

The winning will go on at Lincoln-Way West despite two key losses from ’23

Connor Studer (9), who had 468 kills for Lincoln-Way West last spring, has moved on. But the Warriors are still a good bet to repeat as 30-game winners and conference and regional champions. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor2024 should be another memorable season for Lincoln-Way West.All but two players return from a team that reached 30 wins, won a regional championship, finished 8-0 in the rugged Southwest Suburban Conference, won the Joliet West invite, and finished in the top eight at Wheaton Warrenville ...

Presenting the Sports Performance VBC/ Illprepvb.com top 100 H.S. boys players

New Trier’s David Wolff (30), a 6-foot-8 outside hitter who also plays for MOD Elite Volleyball Club in Skokie, and a player in USA Volleyball’s National Team Development Program, was named the Junior Male Athlete of the Year by USA Volleyball. Wolff will be honored at USA Volleyball’s 2024 Hall of Fame annual banquet and ceremony at the Hilton Polaris in Columbus, Ohio, on May 22. Notice: You may not distribute, modify, transmit, reuse, re-post, or use the content of the Site for public or commercial purposes, including the text, images, a...

Glenbard West eyes another three-peat behind Graham, Maas and company

Afre winning its second consecutive title last June, Glenbard West will chase its second IHSA championship three-peat in nine years this spring. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe Hilltoppers are at it again.After winning three IHSA championships between 2015 and 2017, then falling short from 2018-2021 – twice losing in the semifinals – Glenbard West has won the last two titles and is positioned to complete another three-peat this spring.Sure, Parker Moorhead has moved on. Last year’s leading hitter is now...

Monday, March 18 results

Bishop McNamara's 6-3 middle hitter Evan Rauwolf (19) tips a ball over a pair of Plainfield South defenders during both teams' season opener Monday. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Monday, March 18 resultsBolingbrook def. Marmion Academy 25-7,25-11Bolingbrook (1-0 overall, 0-0 in the Southwest Suburban Conference): Trevor Wardlow (5 kills, 1 ace, 4 digs), Tristan Caminar (4 kills, 4 digs), Tristan Benbow (3 kills, 2 blocks, 1 ace), Tyler Vasquez (3 aces, 3 digs), Connor Dmochowski (13 assists, 3 digs).Marmion Academy (0-1 overall, 0-0 in the Chica...