SPVB 16 Elite won the 16 Open division at last weekend's 2024 JVA World Challenge in Louisville, Kentucky. LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – Down two starters? No problem.At least it wasn’t last weekend for Sports Performance 16 Elite, which played without 6-1 setter Ellie Stiernagle (Benet Academy), who is still recovering from a hand injury, and 6-0 outside hitter Haley Burgdorf (St. Charles North), who was on loan to SPVB 18 Elite.  SPVB 16 Elite (8-1) shook off a second-day, 25-21, 16-25, 15-11 loss to Tri-State Elite 16 Blue (Cincinnati, Ohi...

Caleb Day (2), Jack Byers (24), August Werner (9) and Kamden DeJournett (7) have led an otherwise young and inexperienced Belleville East team to a record 16-0 start. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorDon’t ask August Werner about Belleville East’s three losses to O’Fallon last year.“It haunts me,” said the Lancers’ 6-1 outside hitter. “It haunts me. I’ve lost nine times to them. I haven’t won a single time against them playing varsity.”Belleville East will find out soon enough how they stack up against their Southwestern Confere...

St. Charles East boys coach Matt Caputo won his first game at his alma mater thanks to the efforts of Adi Nakarani (1), Alex Temple (13), NiharPatel (2) and Andrew Heilers (11). By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorMaybe it was some of that old Wheaton Warrenville South magic rubbing off.Matt Caputo, who was the starting libero on Wheaton Warrenville South’s 2007 IHSA championship team, is in his first year as boys head coach at St. Charles East. He brought his Saints to Wheaton on Thursday to compete in the 20th Annual Tiger Classic.Would...

Adam Graham (left) had 8 kills and 8 digs and libero Andrew Ellis added 14 digs to help lead Glenbard West to a 19-25, 25-21, 25-17 victory over York Tuesday in Elmhurst. (File photo by Dave Ruggles). By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor“Never grow a wishbone, daughter, where your backbone should be.” – Clementine Paddleford.York was just a few points from handing two-time defending IHSA champion Glenbard West its first loss of the young season and only its third West Suburban Silver setback dating to 2016, leading 25-19, 16-13 in the batt...

New Trier's 6-8 outside hitter David Wolff is the Ultimate VBC/Illprepvb.com Player of the Week. (Photo by Rob Lange) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepb.com EditorThe total package.That’s how New Trier coach Sue Ellen Haak describes 6-8 outside hitter David Wolff.“There’s a lot to stay about David,” Haak said. “David is doing a great job all across the board. He leads the way in serve receive. He leads the way in blocking. He leads the way in leadership. He’s the total package.“We’re lucky to have him,” she added. “I feel blessed to have him. Th...

Casey Maas (1) and Glenbard West defeated St. Francis, 25-21, 25-13, to win Springfest at Glenbard East on Saturday. On the home page is Glenbard West's Xavion Willett. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorNight and day.“That’s volleyball,” said New Trier coach Sue Ellen Haak.After using a 12-2 run in the first set to break open what had been a two-point game in the championship match Saturday against Wheaton North at the Warren invite, New Trier found itself down a set point and tied five times in the second set at...

Kris Blumberg (6) had 5 kills, 3 digs and an ace in Glenbrook South's 25-11, 25-21 loss at Marist on Thursday. (File photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.com"I won't back down."Not only is that a classic song by the late great Tom Petty, but it's also the attitude of the Marist boys' volleyball team.The RedHawks hosted a 2023 Elite Eight team for the second straight night and had a resounding victory for the second night in a row.This one was a 25-11, 25-21 win over Glenbrook South in a battle of unbeatens Thursday at ...

(From left) Luke Bonacci, Dylan Brinkley, Dylan Roszak and Carter Gibbons return from the 25-win Lake Park team that advanced to a regional final last spring before losing to Conant. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorWhat do you get when you when add 6-7 and 6-9 middle hitters to a team with four returning starters from a 25-win regional finalist and pit them against another team that graduated 13 of its 14 varsity players from a year ago and has a roster featuring five juniors, four sophomores and a freshman?You get Lake Park defeating ...

Tyler Vasquez is a big reason that Bolingbrook is off to an 11-2 start this season. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe hair is unmistakable. His quirky personality inimitable. His determination unyielding. His importance inescapable.Bolingbrook libero Tyler Vasquez is a big reason that the Raiders are off to an 11-2 start this season. He keeps balls alive in transition and handles serve receive nearly flawlessly. He also sets an example in the gym for his teammates to follow.“Tyler is incredibly focused,” s...

York features six seniors who have been on varsity since their sophomore year, (from left), Zach Brown, Owen Reifenrath, Luke Shorter, Jack Bute, Logan Rice and Jack Zitek. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorDisappointing.That’s the word York’s 6-5 outside hitter and three-year veteran Jack Bute used to describe the season-ending losses the Dukes have suffered since he and five other seniors were elevated to the varsity as sophomores.Last year, York was the No. 3 seed in the Oswego sectional, but was upset by regional host and No. 14 ...