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...
Illini Elite 18 Cardinal’s Aubrey Fair is the Ultimate VBC/Illprepvb Player of the Week
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 ...
Where are Illinois’ top girls volleyball recruits in the Classes of ’26, ’27 and ’28 headed?
(Updated February 2, 2026) Haley Burgdorf, by way of St. Charles North and Sports Performance VBC, who led all Illinois girls high school players in kills last fall, has committed to Penn State. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Notice: You may not distribute, modify, transmit, reuse, re-post, or use the content of the Site for public or commercial purposes, including the text, images, audio, and video, without Illprepvb.com, LLC’s written permission. Illprepvb.com is creating a list of the top players in Illinois in the Classes of 2026, 2027 and ...
Where are Illinois’ top boys volleyball recruits in the Classes of ’26, ’27 headed?
Oswego's 6-8 setter/rightside hitter Greyson Covay (13), who plays club for Sports Performance VBC, has committed to the University of Southern Califonia. (Photo by Dave Ruggles). Illprepvb.com is creating a list of the top Illinois boys volleyball players from the Class of 2026 and 2027 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 2026 Simon Bratt, 6-4, OH,...
News and notes from the Windy City Power League 17/18 Open league event
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...
Here are the first Michio Chicago VBA/ Illprepvb.com 2026 girls club rankings
Girls club tournaments heat up again over the Presidents' Day holiday weeekend. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Notice: You may not distribute, modify, transmit, reuse, re-post, or use the content of the Site for public or commercial purposes, including the text, images, audio, and video, without Illprepvb.com, LLC’s written permission. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe girls club season is in full swing and it’s time to take our first swing at ranking the top teams in each age group.Of course, the rankings are based on a small sample...
Here are the latest Michio Chicago VBA /Illprepvb.com 2026 Boys Club Rankings
Sports Performance 18 Elite sophomore Edison Ah-Yo and his teammates are among the teams scheduled to compete at the 2026 AAU/JVA Brew City Battle 14U-18U Open/Premier at the Baird Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on January 31-February 1. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorWe’ve got some catching up to do.It’s been a few weeks since we last released our Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com Boys Club Rankings of the 2025-26 season, but there have been few changes in the interim. The leaders in all four age groups remain the same and none a...
SPVB 18 Elite libero Ella Godeaux is the Ultimate VBC/Illprepvb Player of the Week
Junior libero Ella Godeaux helped lead SPVB 18 Elite to a 4-0 record at last weekend's weather-shortened 26 Central Zone Invitational in Indianapolis (Photo by Dave Ruggles). By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor The 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...
Illinois girls volleyball coaching legend Donna Dulle is on the move again
Following a stellar career at Mt. Pulaski, legendary coach Donna Dille spent two years at (Downs) Tri-Valley and this past season at Blue Ridge before accepting the post at Decatur Unity Christian. DECATUR, IL – Unity Christian School of Decatur has named Illinois coaching legend Donna Dulle as the Lions’ new volleyball coach for the high school and junior high programs. “Unity Christian is blessed to have Donna Dulle as our next volleyball coach,” said Unity Christian athletic director Kurt Younghouse. “She brings a wealth of experienc...
Ultimate G18 Gold Reno-bound, Fusion opts out, 1st Alliance 18 Gold denied bid
Ultimate G18 Gold's Elena Kvasnicka (8) tries to split a pair of 1st Alliance 18 Black defenders in a quarterfinal match of the 18 Liberty division Monday in Schaumburg. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor1st Alliance18 Gold lost the war and the battle. Ultimate G18 Gold won despite losing. Club Fusion 18-1National won, then lost, then surrendered.And just about everyone at tournament central was anxious to go home and watch Indiana in the College Football Playoff National Championship game.That’s the kind of crazy...