Hinsdale Central (far court), which defeated Lyons Township during the regular season and in last year's sectional semifinals, could not pull of the feat again Saturday. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) At OswegoLyons Township stars Sam Levinson and Luka Kostic claim they don’t dwell on the past.But they aren’t above using history to fuel their fire.Levinson smashed 9 kills and Kostic landed eight more as the top-seeded Lions knocked off rival Hinsdale Central, 25-21, 25-20, in the Oswego Sectional semifinals on Saturday.The victory avenged a ...
SPVB 18 Elite’s journey to AAU title game is its own reward; Kahl finishes third
A key injury early in its semifinal match stalled SPVB 18 Kahl's drive to the 18 Premier chamionship game at the 50th AAU Girls National Volleyball Championships in Orlando, Florida. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorORLANDO, Florida – Sometimes it’s about the journey, not the destination.SPVB 18 Elite, seeking its first national title since 2018 when it defeated Munciana 18 Samurai twice in 24 hours, lost to its neighbors from across the border Saturday in the championship match of the 18 Open division at the 50th annual AAU Girls Natio...
There’s no stopping SPVB 18 Red, which wins its third straight AAU championship
Eastside Volleyball 18U Ninjas finished third in the 18 Club division at the 50th AAU Girls National Volleyball Championships in Orlando. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorORLANDO, Florida – “Someone stop me. Oh, someone please, just try and stop me.” – Katharine Hepburn in the 1938 movie classic, “Holiday,” with Cary Grant.There must be something to this red(head) mystique.Seeded fifth in the field of 58 teams, Sports Performance 18 Red won its third consecutive national championship, defeating Mill City 18s (Lowell, Massachusetts), 25-...
Where are Illinois’ top girls’ volleyball recruits in the Class of ’23, ’24, ’25 headed?
(Updated 7/26) Benet Academy's 5-8 junior libero Aniya Warren from the Class of 2025 and 1st Alliance VBC has committed to Indiana University. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Illprepvb.com is creating a list of the top players in Illinois in the Classes of 2023, 2024 and 2025 who have committed to a college or university to continue their volleyball careers. All coaches and club directors have been invited to provide the names of their players who should be on the list. The attached list features the names of players that have been submitted so fa...
Will Aquin dance again? IC Prep has unfinished business; more ’23 previews
IC Catholic Prep libero Alyssa lLawton (2) chases down a deep volley during the Knights' 2022 IHSA Class 2A championship match against Genoa-Kingston. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe Illinios girls high school volleyball season begins in earnest in a little more than a week, and today 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.So, here are some fac...
Genoa-Kingston begins title defense; Normal West, York, more ’23 previews
Genoa-Kingston's Alayna Pierce (16) and the Cogs are preparing to defend their IHSA Class 2A championship, but they will face stiff competition from teams like IC Catholic Prep, Fairfield and Timothy Christian. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe Illinois girls high school volleyball season is underway this week with the start of practice, and today 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 ...
Moorhead, O’Neill champs again as Glenbard West defeats Lyons for IHSA title
Glenbard West's bench storms the court after Liam O'Neill's kill at match point gave the Toppers their second consecutive IHSA championship Saturday at Hoffman Estates, (Photos by Dave Ruggles) https://youtu.be/wl5mmyRxsy4 By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorCould Glenbard West be two-thirds of the way to another three-peat?“I won't say anything about it, but that would be awesome if they could,” said Glenbard West’s 6-5 outside hitter Parker Moorhead.Moorhead had 11 kills, 3 assists, 1 ace, a dig and a block, and 6-5 middle hitt...
Ultimate-ly, teams from up north are the big cheeses at Windy City Round-Up
MOD B18 Blue's Connor Durst (Glenbrook North) slaps a kill past a pair of MVC 18-Greek defenders durng the north shore club's 18 Open semifinal loss Sunday at McCormick Place. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe aroma of cheddar, brats and Blatz permeated the air last weekend at McCormick Place.Thank goodness for a little breath of fresh air from SPVB B15 Elite.There was a simple reason clubs from north of the border dominated the 2023 AAU/JVA Windy City Round-Up, with Milwaukee-based clubs winning three of th...
Benet Academy tops hosts at Metea Valley; Lincoln-Way East third at Fishers
Benet Academy defeated Metea Valley, 27-25, 25-20, to win the championship of the Metea Valley tournament Saturday in Aurora. At Metea ValleyBaby steps.“it’s a testament to the work we’ve done,” said Benet Academy coach Jeff Steinberg. “Our goal this weekend was to get 1 percent better at certain aspects of our game. We’ve struggled on Saturdays at the tournaments we’ve been in, so to come out and actually perform and not drop a set … “Baby steps.String enough of them together and you could make a giant leap.Six-foot-8 junior Dominic Krzecz...
St. Francis begins quest for No. 14, numbers up at Hiawatha; more ’23 previews
St. Francis' Anna Paquette (10)) is one of 10 seniors on the Spartans' roster for coach LIsa Ston and the defending IHSA Class 3A champions. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor The Illinios girls high school volleyball season begins in earnest in just a few days, and today 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 y...