Sports Performance's young boys 18 Elite team is 35-11 heading into this weekend's President's Day Challenge at the Great Lakes Volleyball Center in Auirora. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe 18 Open division is the gold standard by which all boys club teams are measured. California teams have dominated the division, both on the USAV side and more recently the AAU side, winning 11 nationals championships since 2010.Illinois club teams during that span?Zero 18 Open national titles.There have been close calls. Last summer, SPVB B18 El...

Five-foot-10 outside hitter Leah Oehmke (55) of Plainfield South will lead 1st Alliance 18 Gold into the 18 & Under division at the 2026 Triple Crown NIT in Kansas City, Missouri, this weekend. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor550 teams. 7,000 players. 550 college coaches.The 2026 Triple Crown NIT at the Bartle Hall Convention Center in Kansas City, Missouri, draws teams from across the United States – from California to the west, the Gulf Coast to the south, the Carolinas to the east and everything in ...

630 Volleyball 18-1 established itself as a serious national championship contender with its win in Phoenix two weeks ago. (Photos courtesy of @RavenswoodUSA) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorTrust. Composure. Embracing the moment.How else do you explain going from 13th place in the 17 Open division at last summer’s AAU Boys National Volleyball Championships in Orlando to winning three consecutive tournament championships one year later, including the granddaddy of them all, the 2026 Mizuno Southwest Boys Classic in Phoenix?630 Volley...

Aubrey Fair (5) helped lead Bloomington Central Catholic ti a runner-up finish in the IHSA Class 2A tournament last fall. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe boys’ and girls’ club seasons are in full swing, and this week we continue our “Ultimate VBC/Illprepvb.com Player of the Week” series.The Ultimate VBC/Illprepvb.com Player of the Week recognizes those athletes whose performance on the court elevated their team through their exceptional play during a given week, often leading to significant victories or ...

Aubrey Martinez (35) leads 1st Alliance 17 Gold out of the huddle during their victory over 1st Alliance 17 Black in Power League play Sunday in Cicero. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorIn the celebrated words of ‘60s American rock legends Blues Magoos off their Psychedelic Lollipop debut album, “One day you're up, and the next day you're down.”Or in the case of Illini Elite 18 Cardinal, just the opposite.Twenty-four hours after losing 25-17, 25-18, to 1st Alliance 17 Gold in a Bracket A semifinal of the 17/18 Open division of the Windy...