West Aurora graduate Lauren Carlini was named the 2012-2013 Gatorade National High School Player of the Year and was ranked as the nation’s No. 1 recruit by PrepVolleyball.com before moving on to the University of Wisconsin, where she became the school’s first four-time AVCA All-American and a three-time First Team selection. She has since played professionally overseas and for the US Women's National Team. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorVolleyball has come a long way since the IHSA began sponsoring a state tournament se...

  By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe 2024 adidas Windy City National Qualifier wrapped up Sunday at McCormick Place with at least a few local teams walking away with bids.Among them was 1st Alliance 17 Gold, which was seeking to upgrade the National bid it earned through the Windy City Power League.Mission accomplished.1st Alliance 17 Gold defeated Circle City 17 Purple (Plainfield, Indiana) in the championship match of the 17 Open division, 25-6, 25-20, to finish 10-0 and earn an Open bid to the USA Volleyball G...

Junior outside hitter Trevor Wardlow had 14 kills, but it was not enough as Bolingbrook fell to Joliet West in the championship match of the West Aurora invite Saturday. (File photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorAfter a grueling three-set semifinal match against Oswego East, even Joliet West outside hitter Thomas Fellows wasn’t sure if the Tigers had anything left in the tank heading into the championship match against Bolingbrook at the West Aurora tournament on Saturday.“I don’t even know, to be honest, he said.Bu...

Providence Catholic improved to 6-4 overall with a 25-11, 25-22 victory Tuesday at Andrew. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorProvidence Catholic coach Lee Rucinski loves him some middles.“I love our middles,” Rucinski said. “It's a little bit of old-school volleyball. Everything runs through the middle first. But they're so good and so athletic that even though you know it's coming, they have all the shots to see the block and move the ball around.“We try to run them as often as possible, and everybody in the gym knows it,” he added.Prov...

West Chicago improved to 1-1 on the season by defeating Elmwood Park on Tuesday. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor West Chicago did not exactly roll out the welcome mat Tuesday for Elmwood Park.Next year, Elmwood Park, one of four remaining members of the Metro Suburban Conference, will join the Upstate Eight Conference. Two of the other three remaining members of the Metro Suburban – Ridgewood and Riverside-Brookfield – will also join the Upstate Eight.So Tuesday’s trip to West Chicago was an introduction of sorts to their new c...

Wheaton Warrenville South 6-3 sophomore Simon Bratt has 41 kills thrugh his first eight sets this season while hitting .569 with a 70.7 kill percentage. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorWheaton Warrenville South’s 6-3 sophomore outside hitter Simon Bratt has been lighting ‘em up and putting ‘em down for the Tigers, who are off to a 4-0 start after sweeping Lyons Township, 25-11, 25-21, Thursday in Wheaton.Bratt had 14 kills, 2 blocks and 2 aces for Wheaton Warrenville South against Lyons Township, including 4 kills during a 6-...

Bolingbrook libero Tyler Vazquez watches as teammate Trevor Wardlow digs a volley during action at the Joliet West invite Saturday. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comEarly in the second set of Saturday's title match, Marist's Nathen Toth appeared to serve an ace. But after some discussion, the officials signaled for a replay.So the junior outside hitter stepped back to the line and served another ace. That sums up the attitude of this season's Marist boys’ volleyball team. The RedHawks are just going t...

Wheaon Warrenville South made it four in a row to start the young season, defeating visiting Lyons Township, 25-11, 25-21, on Thursday. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorYou never want to take any opponent lightly, but even with three earlier games on the schedule, Wheaton Warrenville South’s Simon Bratt admitted that Thursday’s visit by Lyons Township was the game the Tigers had been pointing to all week.“This entire week, as a team, we were looking forward to this,” Bratt said. “They (Lyons Township) were really good last year. I w...

Wheaton North improved to 2-0 on the young season with a 21-25, 25-20, 25-23 victory over visiting St. Francis on Wednesday. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorWheaton North took a trip to Six Flags Great America without boarding a bus Wednesday.“That’s high school volleyball,” said Wheaton North’s 6-5 outside hitter Jake Schreiner. “There’s going to be ups and downs every single time. But the game is not supposed to be a roller coaster. You have to have the same energy the whole time.“I told the guys, you can’t fall into a divot when...