Liam O'Neill (14) had a pair of kills in the semifinal as Glenbard West defeated Libertyvillle, 25-21, 25-13, on its way to its fourth IHSA championship. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) https://youtu.be/1QfZHq8kMU4 By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorWhen Glenbard West won the first of its three consecutive IHSA championships in 2015, 6-foot-5 middle hitter Parker Swartz contributed 7 kills, 3 digs and a block to the Hilltoppers’ 25-15, 25-13 victory over Vernon Hills in the title match.Meanwhile, the volleyball career of middle brother Ryan...
High school careers come to a close for dozens of Illinois girls at USAV nationals
Fusion 18 Silver took just seven players to Phoenix due to illness, injury and other commitments, but went 6-2 in the 18 American division and placed 25th. The high school volleyball careers of dozens of players from Illinois ended last weekend at the 2022 USAV Girls 18s Junior National Championship in Phoenix, Arizona.And while there were no national championships to celebrate, each team had its own story of courage, determination, and ultimately, survival.Three local teams competed in the 18 Open division – Adversity G18 Adidas, 1st Alli...
Benet, Rogers get the last word against Glenbard East, and the word is … 'Ole!'
Glenbard East's Trevor Real (6) smashed 10 kills Wednesday against visiting Benet, but the visitors prevailed in three sets. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.com As Benet’s resident artist, Drew Rogers was put in charge of designing T-shirts for the Redwings’ senior night.It was a way for the Maryville University-bound outside hitter to demonstrate that his creativity is not limited to the volleyball court.“I was like, ‘What’s our slogan for the year?’” Rogers said. “It’s got to be, ‘Ole.’”The Redwings began...
Changes constant in latest Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com boys rankings
Glenbrook North's Evan Uhlig smashed a kill against Lincoln-Way West during the Wheaton Warrenville South Tiger Classic championship match Saturday. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) The more things change, the more they stay the same?Not when it comes to the Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com Boys High School Rankings.There have been plenty of changes over the past two weeks. But that’s to be expected. Many teams are still finding their way, juggling lineups, searching for the right rotations, and waiting for players to return from injury or … wa...
Marist adds a little variety to its attack, turns the tables on Glenbard West
Danny Dorsey (16, far right) returned to the Glenbard West lineup Thursday after siitting out last weekend's Northside Classic with an ankle injury and led the Hilltoppers with 7 kills, but it was Marist that won the rematch of the Smack Attack finale. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comVolleyball is all about making adjustments.Marist made them. The RedHawks, ranked No. 2 in the Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com Boys Rankings, avenged an earlier loss to top-ranked Glenbard West and came away with a 25-21, 25-23 v...
Marist moves to the top of the Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com rankings
Plainfield East's Jace Milka (4) battles Bolingbrook's Tristan Benbow (7) and Andrew Sulima (9) during a match last week. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) A beats B, B beats C, C beats …. who? Marist moves up to the No. 1 spot in the first regular-season Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com Boys High School Rankings following its win over Lincoln-Way East, which in turn defeated previously No. 1-ranked Glenbard West, which in turn can reclaim the top spot if Marist falters at Warren. Or should Marist stumble, will it be supplanted by 2021 surp...
Where are Illinois' top girls' volleyball recruits in the Classes of '22, '23 headed?
(Updated 7/18) Six-foot-3 junior middle hitter Annie Eschenbach (17) of Benet Academy and 1st Alliance VBC has committed to Xavier University. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Illprepvb.com is creating a list of the top players in Illinois in the Classes of 2022 and 2023 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 far.If...
Connor Durst puts finishing touches on Glenbrook North's win over Glenbard West
Glenbrook North, which won the Tiger Classic at Wheaton Warrenville South earlier this season, added another title to its resume Saturday at the Northside Classic by defeating Glenbard West in the championship game. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorWith Danny Dorsey in a walking boot and Gavin Swartz sidelined by illness, Glenbard West was running out of options.Glenbrook North, on the other hand, had Connor Durst.Durst, a 6-foot-2 junior outside hitter, had 5 kills and 2 blocks during a 9-3 run that put the fin...
Watkins remembers, rallies Lyons Township past Lockport at Argo Invite
Led by Joe Watkins (18, back row, third from left), Lyons defeated Lockport to win the Argo Invite Saturday in Summit. https://youtu.be/Ra4abzYr-SU By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorJoe Watkins’ memory might be a little hazy, but there’s nothing wrong with his game.With Lyons trailing Lockport 15-13 midway through the third set of the Argo Invite championship match, Watkins strung together three successive kills to ignite a 12-8 closing run that gave the boys in royal blue and gold a 25-23, 15-25, 25-23 victory and the tournament ti...
Thunderbolts extinguish the Cardinals' candles with an explosion of aces
Plainfield North (far court) travels to Homewood-Flossmoor Tuesday while Glenbard West (near court) entertains Oak Park-River Forest. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comWith Southwest Suburban Conference play opening next week, the Andrew boys’ volleyball team knows it has to bring its A game.Well, to tune up, the Thunderbolts brought their A game -- as in aces – Monday against Eisenhower. Defensive specialist Drew Schissler served six of them and Andrew had 11 aces overall during its 25-8, 25-11 victory over the...