Normal West sophomore setter Lainey Thompson (2) gets ready to set on of her attackers during Saturday's championship match of the St. Charles East Scholastic Cup at the Great Lakes Volleyball Center in Aurora. (Photo by Dave Ruggles). By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.com Versatility. Benet Academy has it, and it certainly shows.The Redwings had more blocks from their setter than they did from their middle hitters. But one of their middles, 6-foot-5 junior Lynney Tarnow, also had 2 aces and an assist. It all added up to a 25-12,...
Marist punches first, but Benet wins by knockout; LaSalle-Peru falls at Kaneland
Benet Academy junior outside hitter Brooklynne Brass had 9 kills in Benet Academy's 25-18, 25-16 victory at Marist on Tuesday. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comWhen Benet Academy stepped off the bus Tuesday, the Redwings knew they would have their hands full in a big conference clash.For most of the first set, they did. But then Benet Academy came together and showed why it is undefeated with a 25-18, 25-16 victory over the host RedHawks in an East Suburban Catholic Conference tussle at Marist.Junior outsid...
The glue that binds, setter Ava Flanigan leads Oswego past rival Oswego East
Oswego setter Ava Flanigan was honored between games Thursday after recording her 1,500th career assist. (File photo by Dave Ruggles) By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.comOswego setter Ava Flanigan is best known for dishing out assists, but that’s not the only item on her menu of skills.On a day when she was honored between games for recording her 1,500th career assist, Flanigan showcased her burgeoning talents in a dominant performance against visiting Oswego East. The senior handed out 23 assists, 17 of which went to star outsi...
Here are the most recent Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com Girls H.S. Rankings
Mother McAuley and Sydney Buchanan (13) finished third at last weekend's ASICS Challenge, but still have not lost to a team from Illinois. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorIf you’re a fan of rankings, it’s a big week for scoreboard watching.It’s an even bigger week with seeding to the IHSA tournament scheduled to be held virtually this week. Of course, we prefer that coaches argue their cases in a public forum to avoid some of the shenanigans that occurs (albeit rarely) in certain sectionals.So, like many t...
Benet honors Asleson, Stiernagle; stops Skutt (Neb.) to extend win streak to 20
Benet Academy outside hitter Keira O'Donnell (17) had 5 kills in the Redwings' 25-21, 25-16 victory Thursday over visiting Skutt Catholic from Omaha, Nebraska. (File photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThere was plenty to celebrate Thursday at Benet Academy.First, 6-1 setter Audrey Asleson and 6-1 junior setter Ellie Stiernagle were honored prior to the match against Skutt Catholic (Omaha, Nebraska) for each reaching the 1,000 career assists milestone.But perhaps more importantly than the individual accolades, the ba...
St. Francis’ Addy Horner is the Ultimate VBC/Illprepvb.com Player of the Week
St. Francis' Addy Horner (22) recently achieved both her 1,000th career assist and 1,000 career kill. (File photo by Dave Ruggles). By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorSome players are fortunate and skilled enough to accumulate 1,000 assists in their high school careers.Other players may be so talented as to amass 1,000 kills.But very few achieve both milestones. St. Francis’ Addy Horner is one of those few.Horner, a 6-3 setter/opposite/rightside hitter and two-time IHSA Class 3A champion who is committed to the University of Wisc...
Skutt scuttles McAuley’s three-peat bid at ASICS, Macs stop Marist (again) for third
Mother McAuley's Abbey Williams tries to work off the block attempt of Skutt Catholic's Kiera Link (18) and Avery White. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorSince the ASICS Challenge was established at Mother McAuley in 1987, only one team (Assumption, 2011-2013) has won three-consecutive championships.That trend continued Saturday as Skutt Catholic (Omaha, Nebraska) ended Mother McAuley’s three-peat bid in the semifinals, 21-25, 25-19, 25-23. Notre Dame Academy (Park Hills, Kentucky), which defeated Marist, 2...
Haley Burgdorf gets career kill No. 1,000, leaves a few dents on floor at St. Francis
St. Charles North junior outside htter Haley Burgdorf (23) is joined (from left) junior middle hitter Sidney Wright, junior setter Mia McCall, libero Meg Kalenowski and junior outside hitter Amber Czerniak. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe balloons were ready. So, too, were the flowers and flashbulbs.St. Charles North’s 6-0 junior outside hitter Haley Burgdorf eclipsed the 1,000-career kill mark early in the second set Wednesday at St. Francis.The North Stars immediately called a timeout to allow Burgdorf to celebrate with her team...
Where are Illinois’ top girls’ volleyball recruits in the classes of ’24, ’25 and ’26 headed?
(Updated August 2) Six-foot-4 sophomore middle hitter Lynney Tarnow of Benet Academy has verbally committed to the University of Wisconsin. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) (Updated 7:45 p.m., Friday, August 2)Illprepvb.com is creating a list of the top players in Illinois in the Classes of 2024 and 2025 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...
Lincoln-Way East’s Tamia Maddox is the Ultimate VBC/Illprepvb Player of the Week
Tamia Maddox (12) led Lincoln-Way East to eight victories over a recently-completed eight-day stretch during which the Griffins' lone loss was to Benet Acadeny in the finals of the Wheaton Classic. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorNine matches in eight days would test any team’s physical and mental endurance.But not if they have Tamia Maddox on their side of the net.“She's the one who keeps our team motivated,” said Lincoln-Way East coach Sean Burns. “She’s always very vocal … keeping the girls focused.”L...