Evergreen Park, which features six sophomores, lost to Oak Lawn for the second time in three days Tuesday, this time in a South Suburban Conference clash. By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comA makeshift lineup proved to be no problem for Oak Lawn.With two starters out due to illness, the Spartans had players step up -- including sophomore Maryam Hussein in a new position -- as they cruised to a 25-11, 25-11 victory over Evergreen Park in a South Suburban Conference matchup Tuesday in Oak Lawn.Hussein, who is usually a rightside hitt...

Mother McAuley's Ellie White (8) had 11 kills in the championship match against Benet Academy and became one of the top 10 attackers in IHSA history during Autumnfest at Glenbard East. (Photo by Dave Ruiggles). At Glenbard EastPerhaps it was ironic that the MVP of the Glenbard East Autumnfest tournament was a libero who ended the championship match with an ace.Benet Academy’s 5-8 junior libero Aniya Warren, better known for her prowess while roaming the backcourt, sealed the Redwings’ 25-22, 25-22 victory over Mother McAuley with an a...

Crystal Lake South's freshman outside hitter Bobbi Wire (16) goes up for a kill against a pair of Huntley defenders. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) y Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorIt’s hard to imagine any freshman class having the impact on their varsity teams the way the Class of 2026 had one year ago.That class of freshmen included St. Charles North’s Haley Burgdorf, Benet Academy’s Lynney Tarnow, Marist’s Elayna Davidson, Lincoln-Way East’s Maggie Simon, Geneseo’s Lizzie Rapps, St. Thomas More’s Cassidy Monahan, Normal U-High’s...

With four juniors playing key rolesy, Naperville Central improvd to 4-3 with a 25-21, 27-25 victory Tuesday over Downers Grove North. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorNaperville Central was one of the most dominant large-school teams in Illinois from 1998 to 2007, winning eight regional titles, three sectional titles and making three appearances in the IHSA finals at Redbird Arena.The Redhawks won two IHSA championships during that period, claiming the Class AA title in 2005 behind Tara Hester, Jessica Yanz and Caitlin Staib, and the...

Benet Academy won its 10th Wheaton Classic championship Saturday, defeating Marist, 25-20, 25-18. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThere is some symmetry with Benet Academy winning its 10th Wheaton Classic championship while being led by a pair of 10th graders.While neither 6-1 sophomore setter Ellie Stiernagle nor 6-5 sophomore middle hitter Lynney Tarnow reaped all-tournament honors, both were instrumental in Benet Academy’s 25-20, 25-18 victory over previously unbeaten Marist in the Wheaton Classic championship match Saturday.T...

Calli Kenny (9) had 22 kills as Willowbrook ended a 10-game losing streak to Lyons Township dating back to 2007 Wednesday in LaGrange. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorCalli Kenny wants her final Willowbrook team to be the greatest Willowbrook team in program history.Helping your team snap a 10-game losing streak against a storied inter-conference rival that dates back to 2007 – and perhaps even further back since the history on the subject is a little sketchy – is a good way to start.The Marquette-bound setter/rightside hitter poun...

The MVP of the Crimson Classic hosted by Plainfield North earlier this year, Marist's Bella Bullington lit up Mother McAuley to the tune of 25 kills Thursday in the RedHawks' 25-20, 24-26, 25-16 victory. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comBella Bullington brought it. Did she ever.The 6-1 junior outside hitter put down a staggering 25 kills as Marist defeated Mother McAuley, 25-20, 24-26, 25-16, in the always intense neighborhood match before a raucous crowd Thursday on 99th and Pulaski.It was the f...

Glenbard West sophomore middle hitter Kayla Street (11) skies for a kill durng the Hilltoppers' victory Tuesday over visiting Oak Park-River Forest. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comThree of Minooka’s losses during a recent four-match losing streak were in three sets.But this three-set match was different. The Indians turned their fortunes around and got a big 14-25, 25-20, 25-22 victory over Romeoville in a key Southwest Prairie Conference matchup Tuesday in Minooka. Sophomores Brooklynne Brass ...

Hersey captured the title of its siix-team round robin turnament Saturday while awaiting word on the future of 6-1 outside hitter Claie Van den herik (8). By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorNever bet against Hersey’s Claire van den Herik.Van den Herik, a 6-1 outside hitter, was poised to make a triumphant return to the court this fall after an ACL tear to her left knee during a summer league game prior to last season robbed her of her junior year.“I went up (for a kill), then all of a sudden when I came down, I heard a pop,” van den Her...