Bolingbrook and coach Molly DeSerf came within inches of dethroning two-time defending IHSA champion Glenbard West, falling 25-27, 25-18, 31-29, in a sectional semifinal Saturday at Bolingbrook. (File photo by Dave Ruggles). By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comGlenbard West hasn’t reached the top of the boys’ volleyball food chain without having some character checks. The two-time defending IHSA champions faced the ultimate test Saturday. The Hilltoppers fought off a pair of match points and upended upstart Bolingbrook, 25-27, 25-18, 31-...
Where are Illinois’ top boys volleyball recruits in the Class of ’24 headed?
(Updated 7/31) Jack Mally, a 6-6 outside hitter from Geneva and Sports Performance VBC, has committed to Loyola University-Chicago. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) (Updated, 8:30 a.m., Wednesday, July 31)Illprepvb.com is creating a list of the top Illinois boys volleyball players from the Class of 2024 who have committed to a college or university to continue their volleyball careers. If you are a coach, club director or parent and know of a player who should be on this list, please contact us at Illprepvb@gmail.com.Class of 2024 Glenbard West's...
Bolingbrook makes history at Joliet West; Mally & Loberg lay down law at Geneva
Geneva surprised Wheaton Warrenville South Thursday to win ithe boys volleyball program's first-ever regional championship. (File photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comThere's no place like home.The Bolingbrook boys' volleyball team is going there. Knowing a victory would send them back to their home floor for the sectional, the Raiders rallied down the stretch and emerged with the first regional championship in the history of the boys' volleyball program.The Raiders toppled the hosts, 17-25, 25-19, 25-17, in ...
SPVB B18 Lenny is electric in Orlando, wins club’s 109th national championship
SPVB B18 Lenny defeated Mamba 18 Black (Milwaukee, Wisconsin), 25-20, 23-25, 15-6, to win the 18 Premier division at the AAU Boys Junior National Championships in Orlando, Florida, on Wednesday. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor Orlando, Florida – No. 2 is No. 1. SPVB B18 Lenny defeated Mamba 18 Black (Milwaukee, Wisconsin), 25-20, 23-25, 15-6, to win the 18 Premier division at the AAU Boys Junior National Volleyball Championships Wednesday in Orlando, Florida.The national championship was the 109th in the club’s storied...
Can Glenbard West make history again? Marist, six others hope to say, ‘No way’
Glenbard West's 6-6 middle hitter Xzavion Willett hoists the sectional championship trophy following the Hilltoppers' straight-set win Tuesday over Downers Grove North. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorTalk about a two-class boys volleyball system surfaced again over the weekend.While we’d much rather the IHSA focus their collective energy on securing a college venue for the boys’ finals or seeding the tournament without regard to geography (see football), the move to a two-class playoff system seems to be gain...
Presenting the 2024 Sports Performance VBC/Illprepvb.com Boys All-State Team
Loyola Academy's Jack Lopez led the Ramblers to their first IHSA quarterfinal appearance in 30 years this season. (Photos 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 EditorToday, we are pleased to announce the 2024 Sports Performance VBC/Illprepvb.com Boys All-State Volleyball Team, our sixth annu...
Presenting the Michio Chicago VBA Illprepvb Girls Pre-nationals Rankings
G Normal West's Olivia Ziemer (36) and Illini Elite 16 Cardinal will be competing in the 51st AAU Girls Junior National Championships beginning next week in Orlando. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorBefore we look ahead, let’s look back briefly and recognize three teams for their efforts at last weekend’s 2024 Navy Pier ASICS National Volleyball Championships.Winning the Girls 18 division was club director/head coach Nicole Diamond’s Belusa United 18 Cyclones, who went 10-0 and defeated Wisconsin Elite...
Brother Rice, St. Laurence advance to regional championship match at Stagg
St. Laurence's Tim Hyland and the Vikings defeated host Stagg on Tuesday and will meet Brother Rice for the regional championship at 4:45 p.m. Thursday. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorWhat drives the Vikings’ Busse?Energy.“It’s always the energy,” said St. Laurence’s rightside hitter Alex Antikiewicz. “Sometimes we get into our heads a little bit, but we always bring it back. We find a way to keep it going. No matter what we do, it’s high energy. High energy equals victory.”Antikiewicz provided the energy Tue...
SPVB/Illprepvb Player of the Year Evan Dziadkowiec created unrivalled legacy
Lockport's Evan Dziadkowiec (far left), who graduated in the top 10 percent of his class while playing basketball and volleyball, finished among the top 15 assist leaders of all time in Illinois despite a COVID-shortened 2021 season and missing two games last year due to injury. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorBasketball was Evan Dziadkowiec’s first love growing up in Lockport, but a little prodding from mom when he was in sixth grade steered him to a second sport.“I’ve been playing basketball since a ve...
Title No. 109 just escapes SPVB 17 Elite; EVC, Fusion, MOD, Shock, Starved rock
SPVB 17 Elite finished second in the 17 Open division at the AAU Girls National Volleyball Championships in Orlando, Florida, last Friday, falling in the finals to Tribe 17 Elite Cardinal, 23-25, 25-22, 15-12. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorOrlando, Florida – Sports Performance Volleyball Club has won 108 national championships during its storied history.SPVB 17 Elite came within a few points of making it 109.The Aurora crew fought its way to the championship match of the 17 Open division Friday at the 2024 AAU Girls Junior N...