Last year's tournament runner-up Glenbard West is hoping to finish on top at this year's Wheaton North Blue and Gold Tournament behind (from left) Cara Herbert, Farryn Burridge, Phoebe Risner, Ella Rowe and Kayla Street. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe Wheaton North 40th Annual Blue and Gold Tournament has a definite West Suburban Silver vibe going.With defending champion Benet Academy exiting for the Mizuno Crimson Classic this weekend, Glenbard West pulled down the No. 1 seed in the 12-team tournament that opened Wednesday and w...
Making a jump in class, Timothy Christian proves it can still play with the big girls
A Class 2A semifinalist in 2024, Timothy Christian made its debut as a Class 3A school Monday against visiting York. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorAfter reaching the Class 2A semifinals last year for the first time since 2015 and setting a school record for wins (35) behind Texas freshman and Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com all-state selection Abby Vander Wal, Timothy Christian finds itself reclassified Class 3A this season.Abby gone? 2A done?Who? Me worry?“We're super excited about it,” said Timothy Christian’s four-year starter an...
With her sister off to college, Stephens steps up as next leader for Southeastern
Junior Kara Stephens will step into the role of team leader for Augusta Southeastern, following in the footsteps of her older sister Amanda, now a freshman at Indiana University-Indianapolis. By Randy SharerSpecial to Illprepvb.com AUGUSTA – Kara Stephens finds herself in the middle of a very team-oriented sport, stepping into the somewhat solitary assignment of volleyball team leader. No matter what challenges arise during the next four months, the 5-foot-10 Augusta Southeastern High School junior middle blocker/setter can take comfo...
Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb present ’25 preseason Class 1A rankings, previews
Tiny Scales Mound (enrollment: 66) hopes to tip the scales in its favor this fall behind (right to left) Lydia Connor, Ellaina Kostenbader, Campbell Hereau, Quinn Driscoll, Grace Behlke, Lila Anderson, Halle Wiegel, Jadyn Busch, Lialah Cramer and Lydia Behlke By Phil BrozynskiIllprpvb.com EditorSt. Francis, DePaul College Prep and St. Laurence? You’re movin’ on up. You, too, Breese Mater Dei and IC Catholic Prep. Did you enjoy your time in “success-factor” purgatory, Joliet Catholic and Nazareth Academy? How about Normal West? ...
Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb present ’25 preseason Class 2A rankings, previews
Aubrey Fair (5) and Bloomington Central Catholic don't have to worry about another run-in with Breese Mater Dei in the Class 2A championship this season. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprpvb.com EditorSt. Francis, DePaul College Prep and St. Laurence? You’re movin’ on up. You, too, Breese Mater Dei and IC Catholic Prep. Did you enjoy your time in “success-factor” purgatory, Joliet Catholic and Nazareth Academy? How about Normal West? Well, no more Mother McAuley and Marist for you. And Rochester? You got to be l...
Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb present ’25 preseason Class 3A rankings, previews
Purdue University recruit Lily Bosworth (6) returns as Mahomet-Seymour seeks to repeat as Class 3A champion this fall. )Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprpvb.com EditorSt. Francis, DePaul College Prep and St. Laurence? You’re movin’ on up. You, too, Breese Mater Dei and IC Catholic Prep. Did you enjoy your time in “success-factor” purgatory, Joliet Catholic and Nazareth Academy? How about Normal West? Well, no more Mother McAuley and Marist for you. And Rochester? You got to be lovin’ you some 2. When the IHSA...
Here are 90 sophomores worth watching during the 2025 girls high school season
Wheaton Warrenville South's sophomore setter/rightside hitter Allie Coyne led the Tigers with 349 assists last fall. (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 Editor Today, we take our final look at some of the top high school players in Illinois with 90 who are among the best in the Class of 20...
Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb present ’25 preseason Class 4A rankings, previews
Marist storms the court after defeating Benet Academy to win the 2024 Class 4A championship. Will we be seeing this sight again in 2025? (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprpvb.com EditorSt. Francis, DePaul College Prep and St. Laurence? You’re movin’ on up. You, too, Breese Mater Dei and IC Catholic Prep. Did you enjoy your time in “success-factor” purgatory, Joliet Catholic and Nazareth Academy? How about Normal West? Well, no more Mother McAuley and Marist for you. And Rochester? You got to be lovin’ you some 2....
A hot basketball recruit, Carmel frosh Liv Johnson can heat up volleyball courts, too
Carmel freshman Liv Johnson plays club basketball for All Iowa Attack and already has offers from Illlnois, Iowa, Marquette and DePaul, among others. By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.comCarmel freshman Liv Johnson knows how to make a good first impression. And a second.Carmel coach David Pazely first saw the 6-foot-1 middle hitter play last season.“I actually watched her play in a tournament in Milwaukee for her club team,” Pazely said. “She was in the middle of her eighth-grade year and she was playing right side and I was impressed b...
Illprepvb.com revisits the four IHSA girls volleyball championship games from ’24
Bella Bullington had 16 kills to lead Marist to its first IHSA Class 4A championship since going back-to-back in 2017 and 2018. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Editor’s note: Before we begin to preview the 2025 season, we thought we’d take a little stroll down memory lane to the final day of the 2024 season.By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorNORMAL – Someone along press row asked, “How do you explain it?”Sheer toughness, that’s how.“That’s an upset for the ages right there,” said Marist coach Jordan Vidovic. “No question about it. All toughn...