Fusion, Club IV, Prime Time rock MEQs; see latest Michio/Illprepvb.com rankings

Club IV 17-Boost out of Quincy, Illinois, went 11-0 in the 17 American division at last weekend's Mideast Qualifier to punch its ticket to Las Vegas this summer. Notice: You may not distribute, modify, transmit, reuse, re-post, or use the content of the Site for public or commercial purposes, including the text, images, audio, and video, without Illprepvb.com, LLC’s written permission. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorClub Fusion 18-1 National took a step up in class at the 2024 Nike Mideast Qualifier last weekend in Indianapoli...

How to improve hand-eye coordination to become a better volleyball player

Hand-eye coordination is a skill that can be improved through drills, practice and dedication. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Hand-eye coordination is a crucial skill that is often overlooked. It is the ability to use our eyes to guide our hands in performing a specific task accurately and efficiently. From playing sports to everyday tasks like driving and typing, hand-eye coordination plays a significant role in our daily activities.Hand-eye coordination is a critical skill for volleyball players. It allows them to react quickly to the ball, accu...

Movers, shakers in latest Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com Girls Club Rankings

Josilyn Wadas (16) and her Mission 18 Elite teammates wrapped up 2024 Windy City Power League play on Sunday, finishing 7-5 overall and seventh among the 18s. teams. On the home page is Fusion 18-1 National's Gabby Rendina. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorCongratulations to 1st Alliance 17 Gold after wrapping up the 2024 Windy City Power League championship over the weekend and finishing second in the 17 & Under division at the 2024 Triple Crown NIT in Kansas City on February 17-19.There were a few cha...

Lake Park prepares to ‘size up’ the competition, defeats young Glenbard South

(From left) Luke Bonacci, Dylan Brinkley, Dylan Roszak and Carter Gibbons return from the 25-win Lake Park team that advanced to a regional final last spring before losing to Conant. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorWhat do you get when you when add 6-7 and 6-9 middle hitters to a team with four returning starters from a 25-win regional finalist and pit them against another team that graduated 13 of its 14 varsity players from a year ago and has a roster featuring five juniors, four sophomores and a freshman?You get Lake Park defeating ...

Presenting the latest 2024 Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com Girls’ Club Rankings

Illini Elite 17 Cardinal's Maia Olson (31) goes up against the block of 1st Alliance 17 Silver's Keira O'Donnell (1) and Layla Christian (67) during Windy City Power League play Sunday in Woodridge. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorA busy weekend around girls’ club volleyball with things only promising to get hotter in two weeks over the Presidents Day weekend.Meanwhile, here are the latest 2024 Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com Girls Club Rankings (with records in parenthesis) as of February 7, 2024:...

Here are the final Illprepvb.com/Michio Chicago VBA Girls H.S. Rankings for 2023

St. Francis claimed its second consecutve IHSA Class 3A championship and No. 14 overall by defeating Lincoln Saturday at Rebidrd (now CEFCU) Arena. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorTime to close the books on another girls’ high school season.Here’s a question for the IHSA: Since the official girls’ volleyball calendar had the 2023 season ending on November 11, if the Class 4A championship game ran any longer, would they have had to stop play and declare a tie?Something to think about.Meanwhile, here they ...

Downers Grove North ‘set’-tles in, runs past Naperville Central in opener

Downers Grove North's 6-5 junior Aiden Akkawi (11) had 8 kills and an ace to pace the Trojans to a 25-13, 25-20 victory over Naperville Central in both teams' season opener Monday. On the home page is Plainfield South's 6-1 junior outside hitter Chase Kreitzer. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorNobody expects perfection the first time a team takes the court.Not even from a team burdened by the expectations that follow Downers Grove North.“Typical first game, I’ve seen it a million times … they haven’t, but I have,...

Icing on the cake: Mother McAuley beats Benet to win IHSA championship No. 17

Benet Academy junior outside hitter Audrey Asleson (7) had a team-high 17 kills in the IHSA Class 4A championship match Saturday at Redbird Arena. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorNORMAL -- Icing on the cake. Cherry on top.“Just coming back from last year, we knew we had a target on our back,” said Mother McAuley’s 5-11 outside hitter Ellie White. “Our goal the entire season has been to get back down here. This is just icing on the cake. Cherry on top.“Nothing is given,” added the Michigan-bound senior. “As ...

St. Francis slips Lincoln for title No. 14; Knights (no, the other ones) win 2A crown

Shay McMillen digs a ball under the watchful eyes of coach Lisa Ston during St. Francis' victory over Lincoln in the IHSA Class 3A championship game, (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy SharerSpecial to Illprepvb.comNORMAL – In a battle between evenly matched powers in Saturday’s IHSA Class 3A Championship match, the seesaw of momentum ultimately tipped in favor of the team that could send the volleyball back most often – St. Francis.The Spartans, ranked No. 1 by Illprepvb.com, built a 90-78 advantage in digs to edge No. 4 Lincoln, 23-25...

Here are the (not so) final Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com Boys Club Rankings

MOD Elite B18 Blue's J ack Lopez (far left, 35) is caught trying to catch a few winks (?) in between points during MOD's run to the 18 Open championship at the Brew City Battle in Milwaukee on January 27-28. (Photos by Ben Johnson, courtesy of MOD Elite Volleyball Club) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorWith the exception of a few teams competing in the 24 Dennis Lafata Boys Bid Classic this weekend in St. Louis or the SPVB President's Day tournament next weekend, most boys’ club teams are disbanding for a few months with the ons...