Need a reason to watch boys high school volleyball this spring? Here are 100

Six-foot-7 junior David Wolff (30) returns seeking to lead New Trier to its eighth IHSA quarterrfinal appearance in the last nine years .On the home page, O'Fallon's 6-4 outside Camryn Sheehan hopes to bring the Panthers back to Hoffman Estates in June. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe Illinois boys high school season kicks off Monday, and here are 100 reasons to watch (in alphabetical order):Max Adkisson, 5-8, Jr., L, Vernon HillsAidan Akkawi, 6-4, So., OH, Downers Grove NorthKristaps Andersons, ...

Glenbard West stops Marist’s streak; Shampine, Glenbrook South rule DGS

Chance Shampine (7) had 24 kills in the championship match Saturday at the Richard Griesheim Invitational at Downers Grove South as Glenbrook South nudged Oak Park-River Firest, 25-21, 20-25, 25-23. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comAs a top returner from the defending state champion Glenbard West boys' volleyball team, Parker Moorhead knows what it takes to win.“I want it all,” Moorhead said. “I love winning.”Moorhead made sure the Hilltoppers did more winning on Saturday. He earned tournament MVP honors af...

Illprepvb.com presents a first look at Illinois' top 2023 club teams … the 16s

Lauren Coyne (center) led Wheaton Warrenville South in kills during the high school season and will be counted on to do more of the same for Sports Performance's 16 Elite team. On the home page is 1st Alliance's Abby Vander Wal of Timothy Christian. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorToday, we turn our attention to the 16s as we continue our look at some of the top club teams in Illinois. This year’s crop of 16s features some of the best young talent in Illinois.Among the 16s taking the court this winter...

Presenting the initial '23 1st Alliance VBC/Illprepvb.com Girls Club Rankings

Michio Chicago 15 National's Cassidy Cage (28) challenges the block attempt of Illini Elite 16 Cardinal's Peyton Sasse during Windy City Power League play on Sunday, February 5. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) https://youtu.be/WQXxDUD-2kg Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorEnough time has passed (or has it?) to take a swing at ranking Illinois’ girls club teams.Two have already qualified for the 2023 Girls 18s National Championship in Columbus, Ohio, April 28-30 – 1st Alliance 18 Gold and VC United 182 Elite -- while rarely a weekend goes...

Fusion 17, UNO 17, HP Illinois 16 make noise at Windy City National Qualifier

HP Illinois 16 National had already punched its ticket to USAV nationals at the Mideast Quallifier in Indianapolis, but reaching the finals of the 16 USA division Sunday at McCormick Place was icing on the cake. On the home page, Fusion 17 Gino defeated UNO Girls 17 Elite to win the 17 Freedom division Sunday, but both teams will advance to nationals after earning bids in Chicago. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorSome came to Chicago to get better. Others came to improve their seeding for nationals.Many, however, came just for the oppo...

Here are the top 17s, 16s, 15s boys' club teams in new 1st Alliance/Illprepvb poll

Adversity 16 Adidas-South finished third in the 16 Open division at the 2022 AAU/JVA Chi-town Boys Challenge on November 19-21 at McCormick Place. And now, the rest of the story. Monday, we announced the initial 1st Alliance VBC/Illprepvb.com Boys Club 18s rankings of the new season. Today, we take a look at the top 17s, 16s and 15s boys club teams in Illinois. (Of course, this could all change by the end of the week when THE Point Series 15-18s 2022 wraps up.) But for now, strap in. Here are the initial 1st Alliance VBC/Illpre...

Lyons Township teaches York that to err is human, but to be consistent is divine

York players gathered prior to their West Suburban Silver match with visiting Lyons on Tuesday, won by the Lions, 25-23, 25-20. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorWhat’s the difference between a good team and a great team?“Consistency,” said Lyons Township’s 6-6 junior outside hitter Luka Kostic. “We’ve really been focusing on consistency because early in the season we were having our ups and downs. We want to be a very good team at all times and not have ups and downs or loops or hills or anything like that.“Consistency … that’s the ma...

Sports Performance’s 18 girls, boys win 2023 SPVB Presidents Day Challenge titles

SPVB 18 Elite's Audrey Brcka (Wheaton North) overcomes the block of a pair of defenders during action at the 2023 SPVB Presidents Day Challenge. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorKitty Sandt was happy simply to be back on the court.Winning the 18/17 Girls division at the 2023 SPVB Presidents Day Challenge was a bonus.“We had a month off,” said Sandt, SPVB 18 Elite’s 5-11 setter and the tournament MVP. “I think we really improved since then because we've been really training hard. But it was nice to finally play so...

Life is a highway for Illini Elite; Michio, Team One roll on day one of 16/15 seeding

The Windy City Power League 16/15 Open division seeding event got underway Saturday. Two weeks ago, Mission 17 Elite (pictured) went 3-3 at the 18/17 Open division seeding event, finishing 21st overall and 12th among the 17s. https://youtu.be/4IfrKftYYYQ By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe 1st Alliance Volleyball Club training facility in Darien is just a hop, skip and jump for Bloomington-based Illini Elite Volleyball Club owner/director and Illini Elite 16 Cardinal coach Andy Erins.“What I like about this (location) is that I ...

1st Alliance 16 Gold wins WCPL 16/15 Open; Illini Elite 16 Black is a family matter

1st Alliance 16 Gold's Jenna Kolosta (Lockport) skies over an Adversity defender in earlier Windy City Power League action. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) https://youtu.be/2dvSCVZf9Xo By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorAdversity G16 Adidas coach Lucas Yanez believes that some club teams will eventually catch up to 1st Alliance VBC’s 16s and 15s at the Windy City Power League.But that someday was not Sunday.1st Alliance 16 Gold held off 1st Alliance 16 Silver, 24-26, 25-17, 15-9, Sunday at Connect44 in Lombard to finish 12-0 a...