Setter Lauren O'Brien (9) led No. 10-ranked Bloomington Central Catholic to a 25-12, 25-21 victory over No. 3 Williamsville on Tuesday in Bloomington. (Photo by Randy Sharer) By Randy SharerSpecial to Illprepvb.comBLOOMINGTON – The Williamsville High School volleyball team had the will, but not the height to avoid a 25-12, 25-21 loss at Bloomington Central Catholic on Tuesday.The showdown between Class 2A powers saw the visiting Bullets come in ranked No. 3 by Illprepvb.com compared to the host Saints at No. 10.Central Catholic – with 6...
You can take it to the (Brook)bank, Fillies (sic) Mall Tigers for Jacobs championship
Barrington won its fourth consecutive championship at Jacobs, defeating Crystal Lake Central, 25-22, 25-21, in the final. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorAddie Brookbank wasn’t going to be the one to let the streak end.“We’ve won this every year I’ve been here,” said Barrington’s 6-0 senior outside hitter.And what happens when Barrington wins the Jacobs tournament?“Good things happen when we win this,” said Barrington coach Michelle Mayer-Jakubowski.Brookbank supplied 7 kills and an ace and Whitney Mall provided 9 kills and an ace as B...
Tremont bottles up previously unbeaten Lexington in both teams’ HOIC opener
Lexington High School outside hitter Avery Poppe (8) had difficulty penetrating Tremont's block during a 25-12, 25-12 loss to the host Turks on Thursday. Tremont finished with 7 blocks. (On the home page) Tremont High School setter Lilly Klaus (21), who recently surpassed 1,000 career assists, had 25 assists and 8 digs in Thursday's 25-12, 25-12 victory over previously unbeaten Lexington at Tremont. (Photos by Randy Sharer) By Randy SharerSpecial to Illprepvb.comTREMONT – Playing shorthanded against Tremont High School’s strong-armed volley...
Presenting the Michio Chicago/Illprepvb 2024 Girls H.S. Preseason Rankings
Marist hopes to end Mother McAuley's run of consecutive Class 4A championships should the two teams meet during the IHSA tournament. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor In our 2023 preseason rankings, Illprepvb.com accurately predicted eight of the 16 IHSA semifinalists – no easy feat since we don’t know who will be assigned where and which sectionals will match up in the supersectional.Those eight teams included the eventual IHSA champions in Class 2A (Breese Mater Dei), 3A (St. Francis) and 4A (Mother McAuley). We also accu...
‘Relaxed’ Stephens wants one more shot; previewing Normal West, WW South; more
Wheaton Warrenville South coach Bill Schreier has the pieces. Now it's just a matter of putting them together. (Cover photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe 2024 girls high school volleyball season got underway last week with the start of practice/tryouts, and today Illprepvb.com concludes its annual series of previews of the teams, players and coaches whose ultimate goal is a trip to Redbird (now CEFCU) Arena on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal.So, here is (almost) everything you need to know about...
Willowbrook’s Hannah Kenny is almost one Kenny too many for Lyons Township
Willowbrook returns eight seniors from last year's team that finished third in Class 4A, incluiding Louisville recruit Hannah Kenny (6). By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorEven Superman needed a little help from the Justice League from time to time.Willowbrook’s 5-7 setter/rightside hitter Hannah Kenny had 11 kills, 17 assists, 12 digs, 6 aces and a block Wednesday against visiting Lyons Township.Somehow, it wasn’t enough.Lyons Township overcame deficits of 17-9 in the second set and 20-12 in the third to defeat Willowbrook, 25-27, 25...
Kreutz, Loyola do the ‘unexpected;’ Mother McAuley? It’s business as usual
Loyola Academy middle hitter Ellen Gundlach (12) earned Sports Performance VBC/Illprepvb.com All-Tournament honors after helping to lead the Ramblers to the championship of the Mizuno Crimson Classic hosted by Plainfield North and contested at the Great Lakes Volleyball Center in Aurora. (photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor“It’s good to be back,” said Loyola Academy’s Grace Kreutz.Kreutz, who had not played for Loyola since tearing an ACL after a sophomore season that saw her lead the Ramblers to an IHSA Class 4A...
Benet, St. Ignatius seek Redbird redux; Massac Co. eyes another River run; more
St. Ignatius may have been a surprise IHSA Clas 3A semifinalist in 2023, but it would not shock anyone to see the Wolfpack feasting in Normal again this fall. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor The 2024 girls high school volleyball season got underway last Monday with the start of practice/tryouts, and Illprepvb.com continues its annual series of previews of the teams, players and coaches whose ultimate goal is a trip to Redbird (now CEFCU) Arena on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal. So, here is (almost) every...
Can Barrington’s new cast make it four in a row? Oswego pins hopes on Hamaker
Sidney Hamaker's 392 kills helped to lead Oswego to its first regional title since 2011 and only the fourth in program history. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor The 2024 girls high school volleyball season got underway last Monday with the start of practice/tryouts, and Illprepvb.com continues its annual series of previews of the teams, players and coaches whose ultimate goal is a trip to Redbird (now CEFCU) Arena on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal. So, here is (almost) everything you ne...
Can Limestone, Glenwood challenge St. Francis’ dominance in Class 3A? More …
An all-too familiar sight at Redbird Arena. St, Francis celebrated its second Class 3A championship in two years last fall, and is going for its third three-peat since 2002 this season. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe 2024 girls high school volleyball season got underway last week Monday with the start of practice/tryouts, and Illprepvb.com continues its annual series of previews of the teams, players and coaches whose ultimate goal is a trip to Redbird (now CEFCU) Arena on the campus of Illinois State Uni...