Presenting the Sports Performance VBC/ Illprepvb.com top 100 H.S. boys players

New Trier’s David Wolff (30), a 6-foot-8 outside hitter who also plays for MOD Elite Volleyball Club in Skokie, and a player in USA Volleyball’s National Team Development Program, was named the Junior Male Athlete of the Year by USA Volleyball. Wolff will be honored at USA Volleyball’s 2024 Hall of Fame annual banquet and ceremony at the Hilton Polaris in Columbus, Ohio, on May 22. 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, a...

Presenting the preseason Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com boys H.S. rankings

Adam Graham and Glenbard West will be seeking their second IHSA championship three-peat in nine years when the 2024 IHSA boys high school season opens Monday. (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 EditorFive out of eight?Last year’s boys’ high school preseason rankings accurately predicted ...

The race begins … here’s a look at some of the teams that will take the floor in ’24

Barrington head coach Charlie Spry and the Broncos will seek their fourth IHSA quarterfinal berth in five years in 2024. (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 EditorEvery team in Illinois has a story to tell, so we want to send out a big “Thank-you” to all those coaches who took the time to tell us the...

Six returning starters with a ‘chip on their shoulders’ bodes well for York Dukes

York's Luke Shorter is one of several players back from last year's team hoping to make a run at the school's first IHSA quarterfinal appearance since 1999. (File photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorHow long has it been?There is not a single player on the York roster this season who was born the last time the Dukes appeared in an IHSA boys’ quarterfinal. There is a greater possibility that their parents were still in college, or perhaps in some cases, had not even met yet.The year was 1999. Behind Tim Geigner, Rich S...

VC United 171 Elite beats Sky High Adidas 17 Elite for Great Lakes Regional title

VC United 171 Elite holds the championship trophy after defeating Sky High Adidas 17 Elite for the 17 Open division title at the 2024 Great Lakes Girls Regional Championships. https://youtu.be/LHUUEtlmtMs By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor“I do believe. I do believe. I do, I do, I do.” – the Cowardly Lion in “The Wizard of Oz.”Believing.That’s what got VC United 171 over the hump in the championship match in the 17 Open division of the 2024 Great Lakes Girls Regional Championships at the Wintrust Sports Complex Sunday in Be...

Bolingbrook has modest goals, high expectations with veteran-laden lineup

Jacqson Lesure is just one of several experienced players on the Bolingbrook roster looking to win the school's first regional championship since the program was established in 2004. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorIs this the year the Bolingbrook boys' volleyball team takes its place in the school's trophy case?The boys’ volleyball program at Bolingbrook was established in 2004. Although there have been a few highlight-worthy moments along the way -- many of them provided by former Lewis great Tyler Mitche...

Glenbrook South ready to take its chances sans ’23 Player of the Year Shampine

Six-foot-4 outside hitter Kris Blumberg, who accounted for 224 kills as a junior, is one of several seniors back to boost Glenbrook South's bid to return to Hoffman Estates this spring. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorSo what are Glenbrook South’s chances of repeating last year’s near-flawless run to the IHSA quarterfinals?That depends on whether the Titans can compensate for the loss of Sports Performance VBC/Illprepvb.com Player of the Year Chance Shampine.Shampine led Glenbrook South (33-2) on its return to...

Silvers max out well, bring the hammer down to sweep Great Lakes Regional

Adversity G16 Adidas' (from left) Charlotte Kozak, Bella Potempa, Marin Thaxton and Audrey Schabes. https://youtu.be/JKxm7IvNlrg By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor The great late comedian George Carlin once said, “Behind every silver lining, there’s a dark cloud.”Sunday at the 2024 Great Lakes Girls Regional Championships, however, behind every Silver lineup there was a pot of gold.1st Alliance 16 Silver defeated Adversity G16 Adidas, 25-22, 25-23, to win the 16 Open division, and 1st Alliance 15 Silver stopped Michio Chicago 15...

Great Lakes Regional Championship … what does it mean? Nothing. Everything.

Michio Chicago 15 National 's (from left) Malley Green, Luca Bombacino, Kyla Mitchell and Mikayla Marshall. https://youtu.be/VYIKGqz9szQ By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorBid, lose or draw, they came with a purpose.The 15s and 16s age divisions took center stage this weekend to compete in the 2024 Great Lakes Regional Championships at the Wintrust Sports Complex in Bedford Park and Southland Complex in Lynwood.1st Alliance 16 Gold and 1st Alliance 15 Gold, the top cats in the 15/16 Open division of the Windy City Power Leagu...

Movers, shakers in latest Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com Girls Club Rankings

Josilyn Wadas (16) and her Mission 18 Elite teammates wrapped up 2024 Windy City Power League play on Sunday, finishing 7-5 overall and seventh among the 18s. teams. On the home page is Fusion 18-1 National's Gabby Rendina. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorCongratulations to 1st Alliance 17 Gold after wrapping up the 2024 Windy City Power League championship over the weekend and finishing second in the 17 & Under division at the 2024 Triple Crown NIT in Kansas City on February 17-19.There were a few cha...