Glenbard West's 6-3 outside hitter Adam Graham was named the MVP of the Brother Rice Smack Attack last weekend. (File photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorMoments after Glenbard West defeated Marist to win the Brother Rice Smack Attack last weekend, 6-foot-3 outside hitter Adam Graham explained why the Hilltoppers continue to dominate Illinois boys’ volleyball.“We beat ourselves up in practice knowing that we're going to get better,” he said. “We need to get better to accomplish our goals.”Few work harder – either on ...
Presenting the latest Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com Boys H.S. Rankings
Junior middle hitter Ben Boyce (10) and Wheaton North finished fifth at last weekend's 20th Annual Tiger Classic. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe eyes of the boys’ volleyball world will be on Brother Rice this weekend (OK, not all, but quite a few), where Glenbard West and Marist could be headed to a showdown for early (or is it midway?) bragging rights at the annual Smack Attack. Elsewhere this weekend, Downers Grove South will also play host a strong field for the annual Rick Griesheim Invitationa...
Unbeaten Belleville East hoping to prove itself at the 20th Annual Tiger Classic
Caleb Day (2), Jack Byers (24), August Werner (9) and Kamden DeJournett (7) have led an otherwise young and inexperienced Belleville East team to a record 16-0 start. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorDon’t ask August Werner about Belleville East’s three losses to O’Fallon last year.“It haunts me,” said the Lancers’ 6-1 outside hitter. “It haunts me. I’ve lost nine times to them. I haven’t won a single time against them playing varsity.”Belleville East will find out soon enough how they stack up against their Southwestern Confere...
1st Alliance 18 Gold, Adversity G18 Adidas fall just short in national title bids
1st Alliance 18 Gold reached the championship match of the 18 Open division at the 2024 USAV Girls 18s Junior National Championship in Baltimore, Maryland, before falling to TAV 18 Black out of Austin, Texas. (From left) Katie Scherer, Calli Kenny and Grace Nelson were named to the 18 Open all-tourament team. Baltimore, Maryland – After staging an improbable rally from a 14-11 deficit in the third set to defeat Munciana 18 Samurai, 14-25, 25-21, 16-14, in a challenge match Saturday, 1st Alliance 18 Gold seemed destined to claim a na...
Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com Boys H.S. Rankings for week ending April 21
Eddie Muller (2) and St. Francis finished third in perhaps the deepest field of any tournament in Illinois this season last weekend at Downers Grove South. (Photo by Dave Ruggles). By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor There was a major shakeup in the rankings after last weekend. Breaking into the rankings proved none too fortuitous for several teams, who had no sooner joined the top 20 than they were bounced out, while disaster struck other rankings mainstays via injury and surprising losses. Even the top five were not i...
Streamwood’s Voravong proves that it’s the size of a player’s heart that matters
Streamwood, which improved to 15-3 overall with Wednesday's win at Rolling Meadows, faces a key Upstate Eight Conference game next week when it hosts Glenbard East. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorStreamwood coach Michelle Mueller admits a lot of people looked at her like she was crazy when she brought up a 5-5 sophomore outside hitter two years ago.They’re not laughing anymore.Brandon Voravong, who is somewhat generously listed at 5-5, smashed a team-high 9 kills and added an ace Wednesday to lead Streamwood (15-3 overall, 4-0 in the ...
Providence Catholic holds the middle ground, grounds Andrew’s Thunderbolts
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...
1st Alliance 17 Gold aces WCNQ, heads to Las Vegas with an Open bid in hand
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...
WW South’s Simon Bratt is the Ultimate VBC/Illprepvb.com Player of the Week
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-...
New Trier’s David Wolff is the Ultimate VBC/Illprepvb.com Player of the Week
New Trier's 6-8 outside hitter David Wolff is the Ultimate VBC/Illprepvb.com Player of the Week. (Photo by Rob Lange) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepb.com EditorThe total package.That’s how New Trier coach Sue Ellen Haak describes 6-8 outside hitter David Wolff.“There’s a lot to stay about David,” Haak said. “David is doing a great job all across the board. He leads the way in serve receive. He leads the way in blocking. He leads the way in leadership. He’s the total package.“We’re lucky to have him,” she added. “I feel blessed to have him. Th...