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...

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,...

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...

Lucy Pufundt (7) is flanked by fellow Rolling Meadows' co-captains Carmen Powers (1) and Gaby Zielinski (10). By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorHersey has dominated the Mid-Suburban East for as long as anyone can remember.But 5-10 outside hitter Lucy Pufundt and her Rolling Meadows teammates are hoping to change that this season.Pufundt had 7 kills and 2 aces to lead Rolling Meadows to a 25-21, 25-19 victory over Buffalo Grove on Tuesday as the Mustangs improved to 17-4 overall and 4-0 in the Mid-Suburban East, a record that includes a ...

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...

Benet Academy libero Aniya Warren is widely considered one of the best in the business, not only in Illinois, but nationally. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorAnother tournament. Another MVP award for Benet Academy libero Aniya Warren.Coming off a junior year when she was named the MVP at the Wheaton Classic, the St. Charles East Scholastic Cup and Autumnfest at Glenbard East, Warren added another MVP award to her collection after leading the Redwings to the championship of last weekend’s Wheaton Classic....

Bloomington Central Catholic setter Lauren O'Brien (9) battled against Normal University High in the 45th Bloomington-Normal Intercity Tournament at Normal Community High School on Monday. U-High repeated as champion while Central Catholic tied for second with Normal West and Normal Community. (Photo by Randy Sharer) By Randy SharerSpecial to Illprepvb.comNORMAL – The 45th annual Bloomington-Normal Intercity Tournament, featuring three teams ranked in the top five of three different classes, came to a jubilant conclusion for Normal Universi...

Marist's 6-2 middle blocker Cassidy Cage (23) had 5 kills and 5 blocks, but Mother McAuley prevailed 26-24, 25-23, in front of a packed house Thursday at Marist. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comWhen Marist and Mother McAuley tangle on the volleyball court, they come from near and far to witness it.“It's always intense, it's always tough,” said Mother McAuley coach Jen DeJarld. “There's a lot of pride on the south side. It's always fun to see the alumni here. We had an alumnus who now lives in Alaska come here...

Oak Lawn's Kaitlyn Berkery (lower right) and her teammates celebrate a point during a recent win. By the end of the school year, Berkery will have earned 12 varsity letters. Oak Lawn will host the Spartan Classic this weekend. Oak Lawn's Kaitlyn Berkery By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.com Oak Lawn senior outside hitter Kaitlyn Berkery estimated she stopped growing during her sophomore year.Yet her athleticism – and determination – continues to expand.The 5-foot-5 Berkery is a rarity – an average-sized player at a position pop...