Fremd's Curtis Pinley (in background, left) has a combined 50 years of coaching boys and girls volleyball at Palatine and Fremd high schools. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Three years ago, Illprepvb.com was approached to collaborate on the creation of an Illinois High School Volleyball Coaches Hall of Fame.Unfortunately, nothing ever came of that phone call. But we felt then, as we do now, that the creation of a coaches’ Hall of Fame was long overdue.Last July, with input from current and former coaches, players and officials, Illprepvb.com p...
Presenting the Illprepvb.com/Michio Chicago VBA 2021 'Team(s) of the Year'
Would Benet have won its fifth Class 4A title in 10 years had not the fall season been postponed and the spring season shortened by the pandemic? We'll never know, but after watching the Redwings defeat Mother McAuley, which was unbeaten at the time, and later Marist in the East Suburban Catholic Conference Tournament finals, you would have to like their chances. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) The IHSA wouldn’t decide. There were no statewide polls to settle matters. Nobody drew straws or flipped a coin. Ask most fans and/or media, and you are u...
UNO and Velocity combine to bring family-oriented club to Mokena, Tinley Park area
Twenty-year coaching veteran Hector Kiely will be at the helm of the boys’ program of the newly-formed UNO XP. Released by UNO XPAfter a few months of understanding each other’s capabilities, UNO and Velocity All Sports have come together to form an entity built upon two women’s love of volleyball.Terri Baranski and Cindy See both have played volleyball in college and are joining forces to bring UNO XP (https://www.unoxp.com/) to the volleyball world."Built By Volleyball Families For Volleyball Families."Cindy See played for DePaul as an ...
Former Geneva great finds herself in the last place she expected to be – home
Lauren (Wicinski) Kosecki led Michigan State to a pair of NCAA Sweet Sixteen appearances after starring at Northern Illinois University for two seasons. (Photos courtesy of Michigan State Athletic Department) Lauren (Wicinski) Kosecki. By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.comLauren Kosecki had no intention of going home.The former Geneva star was enjoying life deep in the heart of Texas, teaching and coaching in the Houston area, where she met her husband, Matthew.“At the time, I was like, ‘I’m not coming home, I don’t want to be cold...
Illprepvb.com presents the Illinois High School Volleyball Coaches Hall of Fame
St. Francis' Peg Kopec won 12 state titles during her 42-year career, including titles in four classes -- A, AA, 3A and 4A. (Photo courtesy of Chicago Tribune) Two years ago, Illprepvb.com was approached to collaborate on the creation of an Illinois High School Volleyball Coaches Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, nothing ever came of that phone call. But we feel now, as we did then, that the creation of a coaches’ Hall of Fame was long overdue. So here it is – the initial class of the Illprepvb.com Illinois High School Volleyball Coach...
Where will Wrobel land on list of Sports Performance greats? 'That's up to her'
Plainfield North's Ella Wrobel (88) and her SPVB 18 Elite teammates are working toward winning a national AAU title next month in Orlando. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Kelly Murphy. Lauren Carlini. Colleen Ward. Kelsey Robinson. Taylor Landfair. Nellie Spicer. Tracey Marshall.Ella Wrobel?Sports Performance has produced some of the best volleyball players in the country. U.S. Olympians. All-Americans. NCAA champions.Could Wrobel be the next player to join that exemplary list?“Hopefully,” said Sports Performance’s Rick Butler. “That’s not up to me...
Presenting the 2021 Illprepvb.com/Michio Chicago VBA Girls All-State Volleyball Team
Nazareth's Izzy Decker (3) drives a ball past a pair of Marist defenders in a match earlier this season between two 2019 state semifinalists. Decker, a 6-0 outside hitter, is an honorable mention all-state selection. (Photo by Dave Ruggles). Today, we are pleased to announce the 2021 Illprepvb.com/Michio Chicago VBA Girls All-State Volleyball Team.Coaches across Illinois were invited to nominate players to the all-state team. Team members were selected based upon their accomplishments on the court and in the classroom as high school stude...
These girls go to extreme lengths (mostly by car) to achieve their dreams
Macomb's Kennedy Adair travels more than 80 miles one way to play for Iowa Select Volleyball Club in Davenport, Iowa. Mendon Unity's Emma Hoing By Randy SharerSpecial to Illprepvb.comPeople will go far in pursuit of an athletic dream.Yet to be determined is how far it’s worth going.For decades, the world of club volleyball has seen the “worth it” distance stretch to astonishing lengths for players hoping to land a college scholarship or merely improve as much as possible.Name a club and chances are at some point in its history it’s had...
Pandemic prompts Oak Lawn's restless Kate Dillon to add golf to busy calendar
When the pandemic forced the cancellation of the fall volleyball season in 2020, Oak Lawn's Kate Dillon decided to take up golf. She also plays basketball and softball at the southwest suburban Chicago school. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Oak Lawn outside hitter Kate Dillon began golfing last fall and has seen her game measurably improve over the past year. By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.comKate Dillon was a girl in search of something to do last fall.The girls’ volleyball season had been postponed until the spring due to the coronavi...
Former Angel, U.S. Olympian Kelly Murphy takes on new role as club coach
Former Joliet Catholic star Kelly Murphy (left) was an All-American at Florida and later a member of the U.S. National team who helped the United States earn a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Tim Casey) Kelly Murphy was the first four-time American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American at Florida. (Photo courtesy of UAA Communications) By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.comJoliet Catholic girls’ volleyball coach Christine Scheibe is always delighted when one of her former players decide...