DeKalb took DuPage Valley Conference-leading Naperville North to the limit Wednesday. but changing the culture at the smallest school in the conference does not include talk about moral victories. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorDeKalb’s volleyball records are a little shaky between 2017 and the time when Keith Foster arrived in 2024.In fact, according to the IHSA record books, they’re non-existent.Now, Foster is trying to help the Barbs write a few chapters worth remembering.Foster came to DeKalb after spending 14 season as head coach...
No ‘babying’ or ‘sugarcoating,’ just family love at Georgetown-Ridge Farm, Johnsburg
Johnsburg's Adelaide Bruns (left) and Abriana Bruns flank their mother and head coach, Abby. By Randy SharerSpecial to Illprepvb.comGood luck naming a sport that doesn’t include relationships.Volleyball, for one, is chock full of them.But what happens when the relationship between a coach and player involves tough love crossing paths with familial love?Things can get complicated. Feelings might get hurt.Folks around the volleyball programs at Johnsburg and Georgetown-Ridge Farm high schools, however, can attest that teams creating a fa...
Three sets? Why not? These Fillies sure love themselves some extra volleyball
Junior Kalyn Brookbank had 15 kills, 1 block, 6 digs and 5 aces as Barrington defeated Wheaton Warrenville South, 23-25, 25-16, 25-18, Monday in Warrenville. It was Barrington's 13th three-set match this fall. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor Stop by the concession stand. Pick up some popcorn, a slice of pizza and a cold drink. Talk to a few friends. Mingle in the hallway. Walk, don’t run, to the restroom. There’s no rush.Why?Because when Barrington plays volleyball, there’s a good chance that even if you mis...
Presenting the latest Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com Girls H.S. Rankings
Marist rebounded from a tough three-set loss in the quarterfinals to finish fifth at last weekend's ASICS Challenge at Mother McAuley. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor Congratulations to St. Charles North’s Haley Burgdorf. The 6-2 Penn State recruit has been named to the Under Armour All-American team and was set to receive her jersey prior to tonight’s game against visiting Benet Academy.The Under Armour All-American team is a group of top high school volleyball players selected to play in the Under Ar...
Ultimate VBC/Illprepvb Player of the Week Kendall Kozak puts team’s interests first
Minooka's Kendall Kozak (6) has been a weapon for the Indians as both a setter and an attacker. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor Minooka setter/opposite hitter Kendall Kozak may not join the 1,000 kills-1,000 assists club for her career, but there’s no denying the contributions she has made to the Indians’ program since joining the varsity as a sophomore. Last week, the 5-10 senior registered her 1,000th career assist as Minooka defeated Romeoville, 25-15, 25-20, to remain atop the Southwest Prairi...
Assumption refuses to yield to McAuley; Glenbrook North wins own tournament
Cayla Prohaska had 20 klls in Saturday's championship match of the ASICS Challenge, but Assumption took the title, 17-25, 31-29, 25-17. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorMother McAuley had not one, not two, not three … but six chances to win the ASICS Challenge on the south side Saturday.Assumption (Louisville, Kentucky) just refused to go away.The Rockets fought off six match points in the second set, the last trailing 29-28, then went on an 8-1 run leading 16-15 late in the third to defeat the Mighty Macs, 17-...
St. Charles North squanders a pair of big leads, but holds on to beat St. Francis
Haley Burgdorf (23) and her St. Charles North teammates built a pair of big leads, then held on to defeat visiting St. Francis, 25-18, 25-22, on Wednesday. (File photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorSo how did Haley Burgdorf spend much of her Wednesday?“Raw-dogging,”’ she said.The St. Charles North senior class was given the day off from school Wednesday while others in the building were testing. The disruption of their routine clearly threw the North Stars off their game Wednesday against visiting St. Francis.Althou...
Downers South focuses on ‘involving;’ young Willowbrook emphasizes ‘evolving’
Downers Grove South coach Madisen Babich ran players in and out during the second set of the Mustangs' match Tuesday at Willowbrook, giving her bench extensive playing time in her team's 25-10, 25-18 sweep. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorDowners Grove South coach Madisen Babich looked down her bench after the first set of Tuesday’s game with Willowbrook in Villa Park and knew what she had to do.“These girls are teenagers,” Babich said. “They're full of emotion. So, when you beat a team 25-10 and you look down...
Here are the most recent Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com Girls H.S. Rankings
Ellie Stiernagle and Benet Academy, who had their 17-match win streak snapped by Hamilton Southeastern (Fishers, Indiana), 25-13, 25-23, Saturday at the Crown Point, Indiana, tournament, will host Skutt Catholic (Omaha, Nebraska) on Thursday before the girls from the Cornhusker state compete in the ASICS Challenge at Mother McAuley. (Photo by Dave Ruggles). By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe IHSA finally released its sectional assignments for the girls state tournament late last week.Here are some interesting notes and personal...
Ultimate VBC/Illprepvb Player of the Week Kolby Ross leading Griffins’ resurgence
Even as a freshman last season, Kolby Ross (7) was making an impact for a team that went 32-6, went unbeaten in the Southwest Suburban Conference and advanced to a Class 4A sectional semifinal before losing to eventual IHSA champion Marist. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThis is hardly the season Lincoln-Way East coach Sean Burns envisioned in early August.Expected to feature two of the top outside hitters in Illinois – Indiana recruit Alaina Pollard and 5-9 sophomore Kolby Ross – the Griffins were pick...