Downers Grove North fetaures (from left) libero Stellan Hammond, libero Ryan Pawlik, middle hitter Dylan Quinn, middle hitter Gino Andreatta, middle hitter Quinn Leahy, outside hitter Zak Baker and outside hitter Aiden Akkawi. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorIt’s been 31 years since Downers Grove North reached the IHSA quarterfinals. Is this the year the three decades-long drought ends?Six-foot-3 outside hitter Aiden Akkawi believes it is.“We’re proving to the whole state (that we’re one of the best teams in Illinois),” he said. “...
Sandburg outlasts Lane Tech at Tiger Classic with a splash of water and a smile
A splash of water and a smile"We're No. 1?' Sandburg coach Madisen Babich could either be indicating a zone for her server or reminding everyone where the Eagles rankied at the 21st Annual Tiger Classic hosted by Wheaton Warrenville South and the Great Lakes Volleyball Center in Aurora. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor Madisen Babich is Sandburg’s biggest cheerleader. “I'm like a psycho on the sidelines,” she said. “I feel like I need to put a jersey on because the players all stare at me like, ‘She's lik...
Geneva Invitational
Like their older brothers before them, youngest Saurers now sharing the court
Kaden Saurer (left) is a freshman at Queens University of Charlotte while eldest brother Kyle is a redshirt freshman at Brigham Young. The two oldest Saurer brothers played one season together at Elgin Academy before Kyle graduated and the school dropped the boys' volleyball program. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorOne brother attempting to follow in the footsteps of an older brother can be challenging.One brother attempting to follow in the footsteps of two older brothers can be extremely challenging.But two brothers following in the ...
Downers Grove North defeats Oak Park-River Forest to claim Downers South title
Downers Grove North takes a curtain call after defeating West Suburban Silver rival Oak Park-River Forest in Saturday's championship match of the Downers Grove South Richard Griesheim Invitatational. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorDowners Grove North’s Aiden Akkawi has never been part of a team that has won a tournament.“This is big,” he said. “We’ve never won a tournament all the years I've been here. I think it’s been since like 2013 or something like that. It’s been a long drought.”So Saturday, Akkawi w...
Naperville Central seeking Freshman “B” team for quad
Naperville Central had a team drop from the Freshmen “B” quadrangular it is hosting Friday, May 2. The team would play three matches in a row starting at 5:00 p.m. Other participants include Oswego and Plainfield East. If you are looking for more “Freshman B” team matches and would want to play next Friday night, contact Naperville Central head coach Roger Strausberger at rstrausberger@naperville203.org. ...
Here are the most recent Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com Boys H.S. Rankings
Aris Maurukas (10) led Benet Academy to the Silver bracket title at last weekend's Tiger Classic hosted by Wheaton Warrenville South and the Great Lakes Volleyball Center. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor Who’s No. 2? For that matter, who’s No. 3 through 25?All that remains certain about the Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com Boys High School Rankings week-to-week is that Marist has established itself as No. 1 and the remainder of the state is jockeying for position. We cannot remember another ye...
Saturday, April 19 results
Sandburg's JT Snider (7) splits the block attempt of Lane Tech's Mohamed Abdelradi (14) and Martin Nguyen (7) in the championship match of the Tiger Classic at Wheaton Warrenville South on Saturday. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Saturday, April 19 resultsAt Wheaton Warrenville South Sandburg def. Lane Tech 26-28, 25-22, 25-19 (championship)Sandburg (14-2 overall, 0-0 in the Southwest Suburban Conference): Jeremiah Aro (6 kills, 1 block, 1 ace), Will Ashum (8 kills, 2 blocks), Aaron Dennie (5 kills), Easton Donausky (25 assists, 1 kill), Cade...
Palatine/Schaumburg Invitational
USAV’s dance card is filled up; here’s a complete list of the girls going to Dallas
(Updated June 2) 1st Alliance 15 Gold quallified for the 15 Open division at the USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Championship in Dallas, June 25-July 3. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorHere is the final list of the local teams that have qualified for the 2025 USAV Girls Junior 14s-17s National Championship at the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center in Dallas, Texas, June 25-July 3.The 2025 USA Volleyball Boys Junior National Championship will be held at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, July 3-6.The ...