(Updated 7/26) Benet Academy's 5-8 junior libero Aniya Warren from the Class of 2025 and 1st Alliance VBC has committed to Indiana University. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Illprepvb.com is creating a list of the top players in Illinois in the Classes of 2023, 2024 and 2025 who have committed to a college or university to continue their volleyball careers. All coaches and club directors have been invited to provide the names of their players who should be on the list. The attached list features the names of players that have been submitted so fa...
Washington’s Jori Dowling among first class of IHSAF scholarship recipients
Photo courtesy of Peoria Journal Star/Matt Dayhoff. Washington's Jori Dowling Jori Dowling, a 6-0 middle hitter from downstate Washington, was one of 14 members of the inaugural class of scholarship winners named by the Illinois High School Activities Foundation (IHSAF).Each of the 14 winners are currently seniors at IHSA member high schools and will receive a $1,000 scholarship towards their future education. To be eligible for the scholarship, the candidates had to be seniors at IHSA schools who plan to major in education in college, i...
Smiley, Kushner, SPVB 18 White hope to shine under the bright lights in Florida
Sydney Kushner (above, No. 2) and Cailey Smiley (home page, No. 14) and their SPVB 18 White teammates know their work is far from done despite their big win at the recent JVA World Challenge in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorRed, white and … feeling blue?Not in the plan for this crew.Cailyn Smiley, a 5-9 outside hitter from Oswego East, played for three different 18s teams at Sports Performance (18 Red, 18 White) as a junior, finally landing on the 18 Elite roster at the 49th AAU Girls Ju...
There’s no place like home, but if you can’t play here, then it’s ‘Viva Las Vegas’
Barrington's Jenna Meitzler (back row, fourth from left) and her Sky HIgh Adidas 17 Elite teammates opted to stay downtown during the USAV Girls Junior National Championship at McCormick Place this week, but some clocal lubs chose the creature comforts of home. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorIt’s easy to forget that with more than 50,000 people from all parts of the country descending on Chicago to participate as a player, coach or spectator at the 2023 USAV Girls Junior National Championship at McCormick Place, there were also ma...
Scholar program creates opportunities for student-athletes like Dimaano, Patel
Godwin Dimaano (left) and Divit Patel are participants in the highly-selective Schuler Scholar Program at Maine East. By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.comDivit Patel and Godwin Dimaano are two reasons why Maine East coach George Wong believes his program is on the upswing.The juniors give new meaning to the term, “upwardly mobile.”“I can’t speak more highly of these two,” Wong said. “What makes me really proud of the guys is that they are solid volleyball players and they’re solid citizens.“They always come to practice with a smile on th...
1st Alliance 18 Silver brings home Bronze from USAV national championship
1st Alliance 18 Silver finished third in the 18 National division at the just completed 2023 USA Volleyball Girls 18s Junior National Championship in Columbus, Ohio. COLUMBUS, OHIO – That’s a wrap.The 2023 USA Volleyball Girls 18s Junior National Championship concluded Sunday in Columbus, Ohio, and while Illinois did not produce any national champions, there were some solid finishes among the 11 teams from the state that competed.1st Alliance 18 Silver was the top finisher from the Great Lakes Region, going 7-1 and advancing to the Gold bra...
Where are Illinois’ top boys volleyball recruits in the Class of ’23 headed?
(Updated 5/19) Hononegah's Brayden Savitski-Lynde (far left), who plays club for 630 Volleyball VBC, has committed to Ball State University. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Illprepvb.com is creating a list of the top Illinois boys volleyball players from the Class of 2023 and beyond who have committed to a college or university to continue their volleyball careers. If you are a coach, club director or parent and know of a player who should be on this list, please contact us at Illprepvb@gmail.com.Class of 2023Aaron Amawan, S, Bartlett/Pipeline VBC,...
Same old song: another year and nothing has been done to address disparities
Downers Grove South and New Trier locked horns in an IHSA quarterfinal at Hoffman Estates in 2022. The road to Hoffman in 2023 is laden with pitfall for both teams, while it's just an easy pass away for others whose main qualification is geography. (File photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorHey, boys’ volleyball fans, once again it’s time to play, “Pick the Winner.”Can you pick the winner of the Jones College Prep sectional?Acero/Garcia, Acero/Soto, Chicago Military Academy-Bronzeville, Hope Academy, Cristo Rey J...
Bella Bullington admits her Japanese is a little rusty ahead of her trip ‘home’
Six-foot sophomore outside hitter Bella Bullington from Marist is one of 21 Sports Perfromance players who are going to Japan to train with college and high school players from Tokyo and Nagano March 23-April 1. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorSpending a week in Japan may be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for some high school student-athletes, but for Bella Bullington, it’s like going home.Or, in her case, it is going home.“I’ve actually lived in Japan,” said Bullington, one of 21 Sports Performance vo...
MOD's acquisition by 3STEP provides greater opportunity for growth, says Jensen
MOD Elite G16 Blue outside hitter Sofia Rossi (11) of Maine South tries to avoid the block attempt of an Ultimate Asics G15 Gold defender during the Windy City Power League 16/15 Open division seeding event Sunday at the 1st Alliance Training Center in Darien. MOD Volleyball is the first Illinois club purchased by 3STEP Sports, a company that specializes in operating youth sports clubs and events. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorFirst step? Marriage. Second step? 3STEP.A little more than two years after the ...