As a freshman, Downers Grove North's Gwen Wolkow (back row, fourth from right) was a starting middle hitter on the team that finished second in the state in Class 4A. Downers Grove North's Gwen Wolkow Gwen Wolkow loves to fish. She doesn’t like fish. But she loves fishing.Wolkow also loves volleyball. Since her freshman year, when she was a starting middle hitter on the Downers Grove North team that finished second in the state in Class 4A, she has developed into one of the top outside hitters and all-around players in Illinois.“She's th...
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 ...
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...
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...
A look at some of Illinois' uncommitted boys in the classes of 2021 and 2022
Illprepvb.com is creating a list of Illinois boys in the classes of 2021 and 2022 who have yet to commit to a college or university and have indicated a desire to continue their volleyball careers. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Illprepvb.com is creating a list of Illinois boys in the classes of 2021 and 2022 who have yet to commit to a college or university and have indicated a desire to continue their volleyball careers. The following list includes players who compete at a high level either for their high school or club teams. All high school...
Where are Illinois' top boys volleyball recruits headed? (updated 5/25)
Elijah Fleming of Bolingbrook and Sports Performance has committed to Lourdes University in Ohio. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Illprepvb.com is creating a list of the top boys players in Illinois from the Class of 2021 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 2021Josh Albers, 6-3, S, Rockford Guilford/VC United VBC, Rockford UniversityMatt Arens, 6-5,...
Who are some of Illinois' top uncommitted boys in the classes of 2020-22? (as of 1/31)
Illprepvb.com is compiling a list of the top uncommitted players in the classes of 2020-22. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Illprepvb.com is creating a list of the top boys players in Illinois in the classes of 2020, 2021 and 2022 who have yet to commit to a college or university and have indicated a desire to continue their volleyball careers. The following list includes players who compete at a very high level either for their high school or club teams. All high school coaches and club directors have been invited to contribute to this list. ...