DeKalb's first-ever boys volleyball team will begin its historic debut season by competing in the Belvidere North JV Quad on Saturday By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.com DeKalb juniors Joey Stratton and Grady Fowler are going to make history in more than one way on April 4.When they take the court at the Belvidere North JV Quad, it will mark the first time the Barbs have competed in boys volleyball at any level. That won’t be the only noteworthy thing about the Barbs’ debut. Like all of the other 32 players in DeKalb’s new pr...
Lockport? Another losing season not in Porters’ plans after they best Joliet West
From the frying pan into the fire... after facing unbeaten Wheaton North on Saturday, Joliet West sophomore middle hitter Adryan Benevides (10), junior setter Sam Racutt (13) and the Tigers faced once-beaten Lockport on Monday. (File photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comLast year marked the first time the Lockport boys volleyball team had a losing season since Nick Mraz became coach in 2014. The Porters don't plan to have another one this spring. Lockport continued its winning ways by easing past Jo...
DePaul Prep’s Kai Kroth is the Ultimate VBC/Illprepvb.com Player of the Week
DePaul College Prep's Kai Kroth led the Rams to the championship at the Niles Invitational last weekend. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor Kai Kroth knows better than to upset someone living under the same roof.“I would say we’re both good,” said DePaul College Prep’s 6-foot-3 outside hitter, whose younger sister, Kalia, led the Rams’ girls team to their first-ever trip downstate and a fourth-place finish in the IHSA Class 3A tournament in 2024 and broke the 1,000-killl barrier this fall.“I don't want to call her out,” Kai said....
O’Fallon sweeps Marist at RedHawk invite; DePaul College Prep rules Niles invite
Joliet West junior setter Sam Racutt dives to make a dig during the championship match versus Wheaton North at the Joliet West invitational. Wheaton North won 25-23, 25-17, to improve to 6-0. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.com With six regular rotation players returning from last season's squad, which placed fourth in the state, O'Fallon is expecting great things this season. In the opening weekend, the Panthers got them. Behind tournament MVP Nathan McBride, O'Fallon captured the title of ...
Simon’s alright, the kids are alright, it’s not weird that WW South stays perfect at 4-0
PLainfield East junior outside hitter Benjamin Salama (29) hits over the outstretched hands of Lincoln-Way West's junior middle hitter David Neylon (20) during the Bengals' victory Wednesday. (PHoto by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor Wheaton Warrenville South’s Simon Bratt is not the kind of player who yells at his teammates after a game. But then again, he’s never played alongside two freshmen and two sophomores.“The Nazareth game (Wednesday) was pretty bad,” he said. “We made a lot of unnecessary errors. I told the...
Young Edison is electric as Bolingbrook pulls the plug on visiting Neuqua Valley
Bolingbrook sophomore Edison Ah-Yo had 9 kills to lead the Raiders past visiting Neuqua Valley on Tuesday. (File photo by Dave Ruggles) By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.comEdison Ah-Yo and his Bolingbrook teammates have an extra incentive to do well this season.For the first time, Bolingbrook is hosting the state finals. Does that get the juices flowing a little more?“Absolutely,” Ah-Yo said. “We wall want to play our last games on our wood court.“You know home field advantage – that’s what it is for us. We just want to come here and pla...
Let the guesswork begin! Here’s the Michio/Illprep HS boys preseason poll
Richard Barwicki and Lane Tech broke the Public League's 32-year quartertfinal winless drought at the IHSA tournament last spring. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor Putting together a preseason poll is part guesswork, part conjecture and part Ouija board.However, looking back at last year’s preseason pool, we did pick the final two teams – Marist and Glenbard West – correctly at Nos. 1-2. The rest of the poll? Eh.We did have IHSA quarterfinalists Lake Park and Wheaton Warrenville South in the top 10, San...
Trojans’ Emperor rules during Downers North’s conquest of Naperville Central
Downers Grove North's Jude Caldwell had 10 assists and 5 kills during the Trojans' victory Monday over Naperville Central. (File photo by Dave Ruggles) By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.comThere is a story behind how Downers Grove North sophomore Emperor Pratts got his unique name.“My mother told me, ‘When you were in my womb, you were a knight. When you came out, you were a king,’” Pratts said.Pratts, a 6-foot-1 rightside hitter, ruled the court at times during his varsity debut on Monday. He came off the bench and led all players with 7...
Looking at more of the boys HS teams getting ready for the 2026 IHSA season
Despite some key departures, Barrington coach Charlie Spry's Broncos will reload behind two of the top players in Illinois as they seek to defend their Mid-Suburban League and regional titles. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorToday, we continue our look at some of boys’ volleyball teams across Illinois. Illprepvb.com reached out multiple times to every coach in Illinois requesting information about their teams and the upcoming 2026 season. This preview reflects some of the responses we received.We thank those ...
Here’s a look at more of the boys HS teams preparing for the 2026 IHSA season
Aaron Grey (15) is one of three returning starters for Downers Grove North. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorToday, we continue our look at some of boys’ volleyball teams across Illinois. Illprepvb.com reaches out multiple times to every coach in Illinois requesting information about their teams and the upcoming 2026 season. This preview reflects some of the responses we received.We thank those coaches who responded for promoting boys volleyball in Illinois, and, more importantly, supporting their student-athlete...