If you were a Marist reserve scoreboard watching, you did not dare blink because it changed in the RedHawks' favor faster than a Wall Street ticker. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor Who knew that the 18 points that Riverside-Brookfield scored against Marist in a Gold bracket quarterfinal early Saturday would be the high water mark for the RedHawks’ opponents during the 2026 Mizuno Crimson Classic at the Great Lakes Volleyball Center in Aurora? Marist made short work of the Gold bracket, following up its ...
Class 3A No. 2-ranked Morton tips No. 8 Normal West in a battle of veteran lineups
Morton's Rebekah Stock (13), who finished with 9 kills, helped the Class 3A No. 2-ranked Potters improve to 3-0 with a 20-25, 25-18, 25-19 nonconference victory at No. 8 Normal West on Thursday. (Photo by Randy Sharer) By Randy SharerSpecial to Illprepvb.comNORMAL — In a matchup of seasoned lineups, Morton’s veteran volleyball crew edged an experienced Normal West squad, 20-25, 25-18, 25-19, Thursday in Normal.The Potters, ranked No. 2 in the state in Class 3A by Illprepvb.com, certainly demonstrated they know what needs to be done an...
Benet’s ‘young guns’ get it done, stun Oak Park-River Forest in teams’ season opener
Benet Academy returns five seniors but just two starters from last year's IHSA Class 4A runner-up. Pictured (from left) are seniors Sophia Hattas, Maddie Bryant, Claire Weathers, Sophia Youssef and Katie Chvatal. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorIf this was the year that Benet Academy was supposed to return to earth, somebody forgot to tell the Redwings.Benet Academy has been the most dominant big school in Illinois over the past 18 years, winning 18 consecutive regional championships, appearing in 13 sectional championships and winnin...
Welcome back, Kyla Mitchell. Lockport star makes long-awaited return in Porters’ win
Lockport's Hutsyn Timosciek had 7 kills during the Porters' victory Monday at Oswego East. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.com Welcome back, Kyla Mitchell. The Lockport senior middle blocker, who has committed to the University of Virginia, waited a year to get back on the court for her school. Monday, she did and led the Porters to a 25-15, 25-18 victory over host Oswego East in the season-opening match for both teams. “I had surgery on my right knee last August, and I played the last thr...
Who’s No. 1? Here are the 2026 Michio Chicago/Illprepvb Preseason Rankings
Marist is seekiing to become the first three-peat champion among big schools since Mother McAuley performed the feat in 1980-82. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepb.com EditorGirls volleyball. It’s always a number game. Down goes Batavia, Highland Park and Alton to Class 3A. Student enrollment in the Batavia school district has declined 15 percent over the past 10 years. At least there’s one upside. Small consolation. Up goes Bloomington Central Catholic to Class 3A, courtesy of the IHSA’s multiplier and “success factor.” Breese Mate...
Famiiliar face pops up at Unity Christian; Breese Central, Red Bud, Glenwood, more
Cissna Park setter Mady Marcott (5) and the Timberwolves begin life without 2025 Player of the Year Addison Lucht. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe start of the Illinois girls high school volleyball season is just days away, and today, Illprepvb.com completes 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.Here is nearly everything you need to know about more of the teams ready...
Limestone seeking retribution? Wildcats are back (both of them); more previews
Alison Coyne (3), the niece of former US Olmpian Sean Rooney, will direct traffic at Wheaton Warrenville South this fall. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorOnly a few days remain before actual competition begins for Illinois girls high school volleyball teams, and as such, 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.Here is nearly everything you need to know ab...
Barrington mixes old, young, restless; Stevenson touts happy campers; more
Barrington's Kalyn Brookbank returns after producing 546 kills and 226 digs as a junior. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe Illinois girls high school volleyball season is well into its second week of practice, and with it 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.Here is nearly everything you need to know about more of the teams ready to chase their dream...
Penn station-ary for Normal U-High; Burlington Central moves to 4A; more
(Burlington) Central participated in a team camp at Lewis University as it prepares for its move to Class 4A. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe Illinois girls high school volleyball season is well into its second week of practice, and with it 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.Here is nearly everything you need to know about more of the teams ready to chase their dre...
Saints alive at Edward, Francis, Ignatius; tornado leaves T.F. South without power
Libero Tegan Vrbancic returns after helping to lead Prairie Ridge to the IHSA Class 3A semifinals in 2025. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe Illinois girls high school volleyball season heads into its second week of practice, and with it 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.Here is nearly everything you need to know about more of the teams ready to ...