Montini could not protect big leads in both sets and dropped its first match of the season Monday to De La Salle. By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.comIsabella LaCoco is back.That’s a good thing for De La Salle. For Montini, though, it proved to be a problem.LaCoco missed De La Salle’s home loss to Montini last week with a back injury, but the Western Illinois-bound senior setter was in fine form Monday and made Montini feel the pain.LaCoco, who also worked on the right side while splitting setting duties with Daniela Scalise, had a team-...
Bolingbrook puts the finishing touches on a victory over Joliet Catholic
Bolingbrook players surround their coach, Molly DeSerf, after the Raiders' victory Saturday over visiting Joliet Catholic. The handful of fans in the stands and perhaps a few at the scorer’s table may have been gnawing at their fingernails when Joliet Catholic made a late run in the third game to trim what had been a 21-11 deficit to 22-16 Saturday at Bolingbrook.Nervous? Not Bolingbrook’s Kaylee Wnek.“I trust my team,” said the 5-foot-4 libero. “I trust the person behind me. I trust the person next to me. I really believe in them. I r...
Normal Community wins battle of unbeatens, stops Chopra, Champaign Central
Michigan recruit Mira Chopra (far left) and her Champaign Central teammates ventured to Normal Thursday where they were handed their first loss of the season by unbeaten Normal Community. (Photo courtesy of News-Gazette) Normal Community's Mallory Oloffson (left) helped the undefeated Lady Iron top previously unbeaten Champaign Central, 25-14, 17-25, 25-20, at Normal. Looking to dig up a potential block by Brianna Becker (11) and Olivia Jackson (7) are Addison Boundy (3) and Sophia Feeney (1). (Photo by Randy Sharer). By Randy Sharer...
‘Who are we?’ Benet answers by beating previously perfect Mother McAuley
Mother McAuley's Abby Sarich skies to put down one of her 6 kills Wednesday, but it wasn't enough as Benet defeated the Mighty Macs in three sets Wednesday. (Photo by Dave Ruggles). https://youtu.be/LaIbtA-oNu8 Benet coach Brad Baker took a timeout with his team down a set and trailing 16-12 in the second Wednesday against visiting Mother McAuley.He called it a "Who are we?" moment.“When coach called a timeout, we just kind of regrouped,” said Benet setter Rachel Muisenga. “We were like, ‘C’mon, this is our home gym. We know we can g...
Where are Illinois' top girls' volleyball recruits headed? (updated 4/5)
Nadia Goich (17, far court), a 6-foot-1 middle blocker from Lockport and 1st Alliance Volleyball Club, has committed to the University of New Hampshire. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Illprepvb.com is creating a list of the top players in Illinois in the Classes of 2021 and 2022 who have committed to a college or university to continue their volleyball careers. All coaches and club directors have been invited to provide the names of their players who should be on the list. The attached list features the names of players that have been submitted ...
Where are Illinois' top boys volleyball recruits headed? (updated 4/2)
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 2021Matt Arens, 6-5, OH, Lockport/Ultimate VBC, Lindenwood University Zach Barr, 6-2, MB...
McAuley's ballhandlers pass the test at Nazareth as Mighty Macs remain perfect
Nazareth's Izzy Decker (3) had 11 kills, but they weren't enough as the Roadrunners fell Monday to visiting Mother McAuley. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) A successful offense starts with good passing, and Mother McAuley passed the test with flying colors Monday.Molly McDermott and 5-8 middle hitter Abby Sarich each had 7 kills, 6-foot-3 middle hitter Molly Boyd added 5 kills and Caroline Macander passed out 21 assists as Mother McAuley defeated Nazareth, 25-22, 25-17, Monday in LaGrange Park.And it all started with good passing.“Our middles defi...
Young Joliet West stops COVID-curbed Bolingbrook in Saturday matinee
Joliet West coach Al Mart is flanked by (from left) freshman libero Olivia Baxter, junior outside hitter Olivia Ryan, freshman outside hitter Ava Grevengoed and senior defensive specialist Brianne Doran, the lone senior on his roster. Bolingbrook's Lauren Shroba and Cydney Anderson. Bolingbrook’s Lauren Shroba had not seen her teammates in person in 10 days, even the one who occupies the bedroom next to hers.“We just stayed in our rooms the whole time,” she said. “It was really weird. I don't think I saw her for a whole week until the la...
Two points shy of victory, Batavia falls in three sets to St. Charles North
St. Charles North improved to 5-3 overall and moved to 3-3 in the DuKane Conference with Thursday's win at Batavia. So you want to be a head coach? Then you must expect days like this. Batavia led St. Charles North 23-21 in Game 2 of their DuKane Conference clash Thursday in Batavia, looking to complete a two-game sweep. But four hitting errors down the stretch cost the Bulldogs the set, and eventually the match.The North Stars took advantage of Batavia’s late miscues to win Game 2, then opened leads of 9-2 and 12-3 in the third set t...
Geneseo's Barickman twins Abbi and Maddi spoil the party for Newark's seniors
Newark junior outside hitter Megan Williams (11) had 7 kills in Wednesday's loss to Geneseo. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.comGeneseo twins Abbi and Maddi Barickman enjoy the feeling of winning on senior night.That’s especially true when it’s the other team that’s honoring their seniors.The Barickman sisters had a lot to celebrate Wednesday. Both played starring roles as the visiting Maple Leafs knocked off two-time defending IHSA Class 1A champion Newark in a 25-22, 20-25, 25-20 thriller.The North Central Co...