Metea Valley's Anna Murphy (10) and Camille Morrison (17) are among seven players back from last year's IHSA Class 4A sectional semifinalist. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe Illinios girls high school volleyball season begins in earnest in less than seven 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.Today's preview includes an entertainin...

York's eight seniors played key roles in Monday's season-opening win over visiting IC Catholic Prep in front of a large crowd on St. Charles Road in Elmhurst. Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorEmelyn Stettin & Co. are bringing the hype.“The team chemistry is so amazing this year,” said York’s 5-11 setter. “We’re so compatible with each other. Everyone just gets along so well. We play for each other. We’re a very selfless team. We’re so supportive of each other. We’re always there for one another when someone messes up.And…?“We bring t...

Barrington's 6-11 junior Cole Hartke missed three weeks and 11 matches due to injury, but has returned to help lead the Broncos to Friday's IHSA quarterfinals. (File photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorFighting the pain.Barrington talks about it every day.Two years ago, No. 2-seeded Barrington lost its regional opener to No. 18 Addison Trail, 25-17, 25-21. Last year, Barrington, arguably the second-best team in the tournament field, fell to eventual IHSA champion Glenbard West, 22-25, 25-13, 25-18, in the finals of ...

Glenbard South junior outside hitter Ben Zima (far right) had 11 kills in the championship match Saturday at Willowbrook, but it wasn't enuogh as Joliet Catholic prevailed, 25-19, 25-20. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorJoliet Catholic’s Zach Pekol waxed philosophic when asked about the inevitable end of the high school careers he and his twin brother, Luke, have enjoyed these past three years.“It's definitely bittersweet that everything is coming to an end, but I'm really excited that I have the opportunity to...

Barrington setter/rightsde hitter and Iowa recruit Jenna Meitzler (11) will try to lead the Fillies to their third consecutive Class 4A semifinal appearance in November. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe start of practice for the 2023 Illinois girls high school season is just two weeks away. Today, Illprepvb.com takes a look ahead to some of the players we expect to make an impact during the upcoming season.So here they are, the Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com 150 Class of '24 Players to Watch:Class of 2024...

Chance Shampine overcame a serious back injury as a junior to lead Glenbrook South to its first IHSA quarterfinal berth since 2014 and become the first Player of the Year from the Glenview school since Sam Kim earned the honor from the Chicago Sun-Times in 2003. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.comChance Shampine’s junior season didn’t go the way he expected.His senior season didn’t go the way anybody else expected.The Glenbrook South star missed more than half of the 2022 season with a serious back injury.“I...

Setter Allison deFreese (3) gave Eureka 27 assists and 11 digs at Heyworth on Tuesday during a 25-19, 23-25, 25-12 Heart of Illinois Conference loss. (Photo by Randy Sharer)  By Randy SharerSpecial to Illprepvb.comHEYWORTH – It’s hard to say whether Heyworth’s free-swinging style caused Eureka to turn tentative or it was Eureka’s tentativeness that emboldened its host on Tuesday.Whatever the case – perhaps some of both – Heyworth knocked off Eureka, 25-19, 23-25, 25-12, behind senior Ava Riddle’s 28 assists, 14 digs and 2 aces.“I saw th...

Barrington's 6-11 junior and tournament MVP Cole Hartke had 9 kills, 2 blocks and 2 aces to help the No. 2-seeded Broncos defeat top-seeded Lincoln-Way East, 25-18, 25-19, in the championship match of the Wheaton Warrenville South Tiger Classic Saturday in Wheaton. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorBarrington setter Carsten Wegh wasn’t sure what to expect Saturday.“We came in here and we didn't really expect to go too far,” he said. “We started the season rough, and Thursday (night in pool play) was ugly. We'd a...

By virute of its fourth-place finish in Class 1A last fall, (Sterling) Newman Central Catholic was subject to the IHSA's 1.65 multiplier and will compete in the Class 2A tournament for the next two years. (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 ...