Glenbrook South's 6-5 opposite/setter Michal Marcisz led the Titans to a 7-1 record last weekn including a fifth-place finish at the Lincoln-Way East Invitational. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor Glenbrook South’s 6-5 opposite/setter Michal Marcisz sat out last season with an injury, and the Titans are delighted to have him back.The same cannot be said of Glenbrook South’s opponents. Marcisz, a 6-5 senior, is on a tear. Last week, he averaged better than 10 kills and 7 assists per match to lead the Titans...

Marist's sophomore setter Joey Staresinich (23) looks for a teammate during the championship match of the Lincoln-Way East Invitational Saturday in Frankfort. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.com Christian Cudzilo turned into Godzilla, and Glenbard West avenged its only two losses of the season to capture the championship of the 34th Lincoln-Way East Boys' Volleyball Invitational. Cudzilo clubbed a match-high 9 kills and added 6 digs and 2 blocks in the title match, a 25-11, 25-17 victory over Marist, Satur...

Maine South's six seniors -- (from left) Luka Babich, Simon Zwierczyk, Daniel Troyan, Nelson Arteta, Caden Kalinowksi and Elijah Graves -- celebrated a victory over Maine West Thursday in Park Ridge. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor Maine South coach Garrett Fechner wasn’t going anywhere.“The thing I’m proud of our boys is … what really good teams do when not every play is going your way, it's the response, OK?” Fechner said. “You can just take it, or how do you respond to being down? You can call it a night, but I said them, ‘I’m...

Morton improved to 15-4 overall and 3-1 in the West Suburban Gold by defeating Willowbrook on Tuesday with a team that features a heavy reliance on youth, senior leadership and friendship. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorIt starts with building friendships.Veteran Morton coach Tony Hornilla was faced with a dilemma at the start of the season. The two pin hitters he expected to fill those roles this spring did not return.   “I called up two sophomores last year who were in line to be our next pins, but one left to play tennis...

Oak Park-River Forest setter Matthew Proskey hopes to finish his high school career where it began ... in the IHSA tournament finals. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor Anyone who has ever played baseball knows it can get lonely playing the field, particularly in the outfield. You can go batter after batter, inning after inning, without ever making a play or contributing in any meaningful way. But in volleyball, Oak Park-River Forest’s Matthew Proskey is never alone. “Matt gave up baseball to play vol...

Wheaton Warrenville South's Simon Bratt had 14 kills and 3 aces in a losing effort against Oak Park-River Forest in Saturday's championship match of the Richard Griesheim Invitational at Downers Grove South. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor Matthew Proskey remembers last year’s disappointment at Downers Grove South. “This means a lot to us,” said Oak Park-River Forest’s 6-2 veteran setter. “Last year, we got second, so we were hungry. We were glad to come back this year and win.”Proskey and Co. wanted desp...

Loyola Academy libero Todd Pham was a busy man Tuesday at Brother Rice, but his 14 digs were not enough as the Ramblers fell to the host Crusaders. (File photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.com Coming off an emotional match the previous night, Brother Rice knew that Tuesday’s matchup was more important. After all, it was a Chicago Catholic League Blue division contest.  In a topsy-turvy match, the host Crusaders remained unbeaten in the league with a 25-23, 22-25, 25-20 victory over visiting Loyola Acade...

Wheaton Warrenville South's Simon Bratt is surrounded by his teammates after setting a new IHSA record for career kills Monday at Neuqua Valley. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorIt wasn’t flashy or spectacular. Not one of those where the player rises up over the net and slams the ball down inside the 10-foot line, drawing a chorus of "oohs" and "aahs" from the crowd.It was a simple tip kill over the outstretched arms of two defenders.But like they say about Texas leaguers in baseball, they all look the same in the scorebook.With his s...