Stevenson's Ramiz Izzatov (14) slaps a kill past Lincoln-Way West's Connor Studer (9) and Will Pluskota (10) during the championship match of the Joliet West invite. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comComing off of its first loss of the season, Lincoln-Way West was looking to play more consistently. Connor squared made sure the Warriors did just that.Outside hitters Connor Studer and Connor Jaral combined for 26 kills and both earned all-tournament honors as Lincoln-Way West outlasted Stevenson, 25-16, 2...
‘The Generator’ sparks Lincoln-Way East over Glenbard West in ’22 title rematch
Parker Moorhead had 10 kills in Glenbard West' loss Thursday to Lincoln-Way East in a rematch of last year's IHSA championship match. (file photo by Dave Ruggles) By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.comLincoln-Way East star Tyler Walenga has a nickname for fellow senior Joey Glennon.“We like to call Joey 'The Generator,’” Walenga said. “He generates so much energy at the perfect time, all the time.“He’s got a high motor and is a great player. Whenever we need him, he always delivers.”Glennon lived up to his moniker on Thursday, delivering 1...
Joliet Catholic follows Zach Pekol’s lead, stays positive in win over Metea Valley
Bartosz Chmielewski (seen here last year at the Wheaton Classic) had 13 kills, but it was not enough as Metea Valley fell to visiting Joliet Catholic Wednesday. (file photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorJoliet Catholic could have folded after squandering four set points in set one and surrendering a 15-8 lead in set two Wednesday at Metea Valley.But …“Our main motto this year is stay positive and enjoy the ride,” said Joliet Catholic’s 6-9 rightside hitter Luke Pekol. “Volleyball is game of runs. Between set...
Lincoln-Way West’s Connor Studer has fun during Warriors’ victory at Plainfield North
Plainfield North dropped its season opener Monday to visiting Lincoln-Way West despite 8 kills from Aidan Cupps (14) and 17 assists, 2 kills and a block from setter PJ Vaughn (13). By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorDon’t worry. Be happy.Lincoln-Way West’s Connor Studer said the key to winning volleyball games is having fun. The 5-10 outside hitter had plenty of that Monday at Plainfield North.Studer had 13 kills, including the final two of the match, to lead the Warriors to a 25-21, 25-19 victory over Plainfield North in the sea...
Who’s who among the best in Illinois boys’ volleyball? We try to sort it all out
Despite some graduation losses, Lincoln-Way East (far court) again figures to be among the best boys volleyball teams in Illinois this spring. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorHere are the 2023 1st Alliance VBC/Illprepvb.com Boys High School Preseason Rankings (with last season’s record):1. Glenbard West 39-3Trevor Powell, Danny Dorsey and Gavin Swartz are gone, so who will step up this year? Next up: Thursday vs. Lincoln-Way East.2. Marist 36-3Six-foot-5 Marty Canavan and sophomores Nathan Toth,...
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...
Illinois high school boys volleyball is back … and OMG they’re on fire!
Glenbard West's 6-5 Liam O'Neill (14) and the Hilltoppers will try to defend their 2022 IHSA championship this spring. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe boys are back, so here is a look at some of the teams that will be punishing the floors throughout Illinois gymnasiums this spring while they compete for local, conference and tournament bragging rights and perhaps a little IHSA tournament glory in 2023 (in alphabetical order):Andrew (11-25)Sean Burns takes over as head coach for Troy Hari, whose final team re...
Need a reason to watch boys high school volleyball this spring? Here are 100
Six-foot-7 junior David Wolff (30) returns seeking to lead New Trier to its eighth IHSA quarterrfinal appearance in the last nine years .On the home page, O'Fallon's 6-4 outside Camryn Sheehan hopes to bring the Panthers back to Hoffman Estates in June. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe Illinois boys high school season kicks off Monday, and here are 100 reasons to watch (in alphabetical order):Max Adkisson, 5-8, Jr., L, Vernon HillsAidan Akkawi, 6-4, So., OH, Downers Grove NorthKristaps Andersons, ...
SPVB 18 Kahl prevents 1st Alliance sweep in showdown at Champions Cup
1st Alliance 18 Silver (far court) took down Soprts Performance's No. 1 18s team, 25-20, 19-25, 15-13, but it could not get past the home club's No. 2 team, SPVB 18 Kahl, Saturday at the Great Lakes Volleyball Center in Aurora. (File photos by Dave Ruggles) https://youtu.be/SiT1dmieQfs By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorSometimes, there’s no rhyme or reason in volleyball.Just ask fans of 1st Alliance 18 Silver.Moments after watching their team ease past Sports Performance 18 Elite, 25-20, 19-25, 15-13, Saturday at the Champions Cup a...
1st Alliance 16 Gold wins WCPL 16/15 Open; Illini Elite 16 Black is a family matter
1st Alliance 16 Gold's Jenna Kolosta (Lockport) skies over an Adversity defender in earlier Windy City Power League action. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) https://youtu.be/2dvSCVZf9Xo By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorAdversity G16 Adidas coach Lucas Yanez believes that some club teams will eventually catch up to 1st Alliance VBC’s 16s and 15s at the Windy City Power League.But that someday was not Sunday.1st Alliance 16 Gold held off 1st Alliance 16 Silver, 24-26, 25-17, 15-9, Sunday at Connect44 in Lombard to finish 12-0 a...