Libero Paul Wyszynski of Glenbrook North and Sports Performance begins his fourth year as a starter for the defending IHSA champions. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) Today, we rank the top 100 boys in the Class of 2022. Among those at the top of the list are Barrington’s 6-8 outside hitter and Ohio State recruit Jack O’Riordan, St. Ignatius’ 6-6 outside hitter Lucas Mack, who was second among all sophomores in kills last spring, and Loyola-Chicago recruit Ryan McElligott, a 6-5 setter/outside hitter from Mundelein.Also breaking the top 10 a...
Glenbard West’s streaks end, but they’re still No. 1 in Michio/Illprepvb's book
After playing 22 games in 23 days and suffering its first loss since March 24, Glenbard West entertains West Suburban Silver foe Lyons on Tuesday. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) No sooner had many observers crowned Glenbard West as the inevitable IHSA champion than the Hilltoppers found themselves pushed to the brink by circumstance at the Northside Classic last weekend.All last weekend really proved is that if you take two of the top three players from even the best team in the land and put them on the shelf, it’s very difficult to beat an ...
Who's the best team in Plainfield? For one night only, give the nod to North
Plainfield North bounced back from a rough couple of weeks to upend Joliet West in Plainfield on Monday and all but end the visitors' chances of catching Plainfield East in the Southwest Prairie Conference chase. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorAndrew Fedmasu said that his team’s goal is to be the best team in Plainfield.They certainly were Monday.Fedmasu drilled 9 kills to go along with 2 blocks, and fellow pin hitter Aidan Cupps added 8 kills and 2 blocks as Plainfield North handed Joliet West its second loss in the Southwest Prairi...
Byas, Lincoln-Way East take early control of conference race by beating Lockport
Lincoln-Way East, which handed Glenbard West its only loss this spring, has won the conference title three times since the Southwest Suburban Conference went to a single division alignment in 2017. By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comJared Byas missed most of last season with tendinitis. This season, the Lincoln-Way East outside hitter hopes to help lead his team on another state finals run.Meanwhile, Byas did his part to make sure the Griffins win another Southwest Suburban Conference championship. He contributed 4 kills and 3 ...
Work harder, get better — that's life in the Windy City Power League's nether regions
Mission 15 Elite has been without one of its top players throughout much of league play, but showed promise at the President's Day Classic in St. Louis recently. https://youtu.be/jLB6h8JQRAE By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorFew teams that compete in the Windy City Power League have a realistic shot at earning one of the league’s automatics bids to the USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Championship. Goals become particularly incremental for those teams exiled to Bracket D or E.“We definitely had to change our priorities being i...
1,127 wins later, girls volleyball legend named new coach at (Downs) Tri-Valley
Donna Dulle led Mt. Pulaski to 1,127 wins, 23 sectional championships, 14 IHSA state tournament appearances and two state titles during her 39 years as head coach. (Photo courtesy of Decatur Herald-Review) Former Mt. Pulaski coach Donna Dulle directed the (Downs) Tr-Valley freshman and eighth grade teams last year. By Randy SharerSpecial to Illprepvb.comDOWNS – Considering Donna Dulle’s volleyball coaching success, many jobs would seem to be beneath someone of her stature.That explains why Josh Roop, Tri-Valley High School’s athletic dir...
Glenbard West smacks previously unbeaten Marist; Mustangs win two-horse race
Barrington's 6-10 sophomore Cole Hartke had 4 kills and 4 blocks in Barrington's loss to Downers Grove South in the championship match of the Richard Griesheim Invitational Saturday. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepb.comNo Dorsey, no problem.Playing without one of its top players, outside hitter Danny Dorsey, who was out ill all weekend, Glenbard West handed top-ranked Marist its first loss of the season with a dominating 25-20, 25-16 victory Saturday in the championship of the Smack Attack Tournament at Brother Ric...
St. Laurence gets its kicks behind pair of multisport athletes and two brother acts
Downers Grove South (far court) will join the field Saturday at Springfest hosted by Glenbard East and featuring Glenbard West and Plainfield North. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comThe St. Laurence boys’ volleyball team is getting its kicks this season.Led by a couple of players who are used to using their feet in a sport, the host Vikings continued their nice start with a 25-18, 25-19 victory over Montini in a Chicago Catholic League Conference crossover matchup Thursday in Burbank. The hosts’ Thomas Suchec...
Heavy graduation losses aside, Lockport not missing a beat, drums Joliet West
Joliet West, which won its own tournament last weekend by defeating Stevenson and Lincoln-Way West, suffered its first loss of the season Tuesday at Lockport. By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comEvan Dziadkowiec is the captain of the Lockport boys’ volleyball team. He’s also one of four sophomore starters for the Porters. Dziadkowiec dished out 23 assists as the new look Porters continued their good start by defeating Joliet West, 25-18, 25-20, in a Tuesday morning matinee in Lockport. It was Joliet West’s first loss of t...
Latest Michio Chicago boys' rankings, and is it Glenbard West and everybody else?
York's 6-7 sophomore Luke Shorter (22) tries to drive the ball past Hinsdale Central defenders Matthew Hughes (25) and Emmanuel Jurineack (14) during Saturday's tournament in Elmhurst. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Takeaways from last week?After last weekend's showing at Lincoln-Way East, it's becoming more apparent that the IHSA championship is Glenbard West’s to lose.The field of bonafide challengers continues to dwindle.There is growing sentiment for a return to in-person sectional seeding.Not all sectionals are created equal.Some sectio...