Sonia Bondar, who fled war-ravaged Ukraine with her family last February, is able to put thoughts of the horrors back home out of her mind when she plays volleyball with her teammates at Vernon Hills. (Photos by VIP Photography) Sonia Bondar By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.comVernon Hills senior Sonia Bondar and her teammates stood in a circle as they got instruction from coach Chris Curry before a recent practice.The 6-foot opposite is just like the rest of the Cougars in many respects – tall, athletic and full of energy.The one di...
Here are the final 2023 1st Alliance VBC/Illprepvb.com Boys H.S. Rankings
Glenbard West's Adam Graham is one of several juniors who will return in 2024 bidding to earn the Toppers' second three-peat since 2015-17. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorI feel the need … the need, to seed.For the second time in two years, arguably the two best teams in the Illinois met prior to the IHSA tournament championship game.Last year, Barrington (36-3), led by Player of the Year Jack O’Riordan (Ohio State), lost a tough three-setter to eventual IHSA champion Glenbard West in the sectional champio...
Loyola Academy takes care of business to advance at the Tiger Classic
Rolling Meadows' middle hitter Chruis Kalweit (23) and the Mustangs dropped both of their matches Friday at the Wheaton Warrenville South Tiger Classic. (File photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorLoyola Academy took care of business. St. Rita gave Fremd the business. Day two at the Wheaton Warrenville South Tiger Classic did not go exactly as planned for several of the top seeds. But Loyola Academy came out of the scrum unscathed, defeating Rolling Meadows and Neuqua Valley in straight sets to advance to Saturday’s q...
Lyons solves mystery of Red Devils history; Downers North, Lincoln-Way West win
Hinsdale Central (far court), which defeated Lyons Township during the regular season and in last year's sectional semifinals, could not pull of the feat again Saturday. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) At OswegoLyons Township stars Sam Levinson and Luka Kostic claim they don’t dwell on the past.But they aren’t above using history to fuel their fire.Levinson smashed 9 kills and Kostic landed eight more as the top-seeded Lions knocked off rival Hinsdale Central, 25-21, 25-20, in the Oswego Sectional semifinals on Saturday.The victory avenged a ...
Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com present 100 Players to Watch in the Class of ’25
Amanda Stephens (19), who led tiny Augusta Southeastern to the IHSA Class 1A semifinals as a freshman in 2021, is back to lead the Suns again this fall. On the homepage is Norris City-Omaha-Enfield's Hinsley Everett. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor The start of practice for the 2023 Illinois girls high school season is just two weeks away. Today, Illprepvb.com takes a look ahead to some of the players we expect to make an impact during the upcoming season. So here they are, the Michio Chicago ...
Here are the final regular-season 1st Alliance VBC/Illprepvb.com Girls rankings
Macomb's Kennedy Adair recorded her 1,000th career kill during Saturday's tournament at Quincy Notre Dame. That’s a wrap on the 2022 regular season. Now the real fun begins.Less than three weeks from today, the IHSA will crown champions in four classes. The road to Redbird Arena has more potholes than an Illinois winter. Who will navigate it best?That question, and more, will be answered in the next few weeks.Meanwhile, here are the final regular-season 1st Alliance VBC/Illprepvb.com Girls High School Rankings:Class 4A (last week’s rank...
Benet Academy tops hosts at Metea Valley; Lincoln-Way East third at Fishers
Benet Academy defeated Metea Valley, 27-25, 25-20, to win the championship of the Metea Valley tournament Saturday in Aurora. At Metea ValleyBaby steps.“it’s a testament to the work we’ve done,” said Benet Academy coach Jeff Steinberg. “Our goal this weekend was to get 1 percent better at certain aspects of our game. We’ve struggled on Saturdays at the tournaments we’ve been in, so to come out and actually perform and not drop a set … “Baby steps.String enough of them together and you could make a giant leap.Six-foot-8 junior Dominic Krzecz...
Henderson, Downers North exude confidence; Glenbard South rally stuns Benet
Junior middle hitter Adam Janowiak had 8 kills and a block in Downers Grove North's win over Oswego at Glenbard South. (File photo by Dave Ruggles) https://youtu.be/idz93dLMcEA By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorGlenbard West. Lyons Township. Oak Park-River Forest. Plainfield East. York. Fishers (Indiana).Downers Grove North has played them all … winning some, losing some, and hanging with just about everybody on their schedule.The IHSA tournament road ahead doesn’t get any easier for the Trojans, who advanced to Thursday’s 6:00 ...
SPVB 18 Kahl prevents 1st Alliance sweep in showdown at Champions Cup
1st Alliance 18 Silver (far court) took down Soprts Performance's No. 1 18s team, 25-20, 19-25, 15-13, but it could not get past the home club's No. 2 team, SPVB 18 Kahl, Saturday at the Great Lakes Volleyball Center in Aurora. (File photos by Dave Ruggles) https://youtu.be/SiT1dmieQfs By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorSometimes, there’s no rhyme or reason in volleyball.Just ask fans of 1st Alliance 18 Silver.Moments after watching their team ease past Sports Performance 18 Elite, 25-20, 19-25, 15-13, Saturday at the Champions Cup a...
The boys from Illinois come up empty at AAU national tournament in Orlando
Kyle Saurer and his SPVB B18 Elite teammates were Illinois' lone representatives in the 18 Open quarterfinals at the AAU Boys Junior National Tournament in Orlando, Florida, but the crew from Oakhurst Avenue lost in the round of eight to Vanguard 18 Gold Webb. (Files photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorORLANDO, Florida – And then there was one.When the sun set on central Florida late Monday, only four teams from Illinois had advanced to the quarterfinals of their respective Open divisions at the 2023 AAU Boys Junior...