Barrington junior Kalyn Brookbank ranks among the top attackers in Illinois this fall with more than 350 kills. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorTalk about tough acts to follow.Barrington’s 6-1 junior Kalyn Brookbank hails from a strong lineage of outstanding athletes. Her mom, Betsy Spicer-Brookbank, was a two-time All-Big Ten volleyball selection at Illinois. Her aunt, Nellie Spicer-Coleman, starred at UCLA and was a member of the U.S. national team.Last season as a sophomore, Kalyn played high school ball...
Here are the best 10 things we saw at the Saints Fall Classic in Bloomington
Mascoutah finished fourth at the Saints Fall Classic Saturday in Bloomington, and had a good time doing it. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepb.com EditorHere are the best 10 things we saw (and heard) at the Saints Fall Classic Saturday in Bloomington1. The championship match.Bloomington Central Catholic and Normal U-High met up for the second and final time this season – the Saints are Class 2A-bound in the postseason and U-High is solid contender in Class 3A – in the championship match Saturday. It did not disappoint. The Saints overcame deficits o...
No ‘babying’ or ‘sugarcoating,’ just family love at Georgetown-Ridge Farm, Johnsburg
Johnsburg's Adelaide Bruns (left) and Abriana Bruns flank their mother and head coach, Abby. By Randy SharerSpecial to Illprepvb.comGood luck naming a sport that doesn’t include relationships.Volleyball, for one, is chock full of them.But what happens when the relationship between a coach and player involves tough love crossing paths with familial love?Things can get complicated. Feelings might get hurt.Folks around the volleyball programs at Johnsburg and Georgetown-Ridge Farm high schools, however, can attest that teams creating a fa...
IHSA boys volleyball finals are on the move, but not everyone’s happy about it
Bolingbrook has hosted boys regionals and sectional tournaments through the years, including Glenbard West's sectional victory over Downers Grove North in 2024 (see homepage), and will now host the boys state finals beginning in 2026. By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.com The IHSA boys volleyball state finals are on the move for the first time in 30 years.Only it’s not the move many coaches were hoping for. The venue change was precipitated when Hoffman Estates, which has hosted the boys tournament since 1995, decided to end its run...
The culture change at DeKalb includes expecting to win, not moral victories
DeKalb took DuPage Valley Conference-leading Naperville North to the limit Wednesday. but changing the culture at the smallest school in the conference does not include talk about moral victories. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorDeKalb’s volleyball records are a little shaky between 2017 and the time when Keith Foster arrived in 2024.In fact, according to the IHSA record books, they’re non-existent.Now, Foster is trying to help the Barbs write a few chapters worth remembering.Foster came to DeKalb after spending 14 season as head coach...
Three sets? Why not? These Fillies sure love themselves some extra volleyball
Junior Kalyn Brookbank had 15 kills, 1 block, 6 digs and 5 aces as Barrington defeated Wheaton Warrenville South, 23-25, 25-16, 25-18, Monday in Warrenville. It was Barrington's 13th three-set match this fall. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor Stop by the concession stand. Pick up some popcorn, a slice of pizza and a cold drink. Talk to a few friends. Mingle in the hallway. Walk, don’t run, to the restroom. There’s no rush.Why?Because when Barrington plays volleyball, there’s a good chance that even if you mis...
Presenting the latest Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com Girls H.S. Rankings
Marist rebounded from a tough three-set loss in the quarterfinals to finish fifth at last weekend's ASICS Challenge at Mother McAuley. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor Congratulations to St. Charles North’s Haley Burgdorf. The 6-2 Penn State recruit has been named to the Under Armour All-American team and was set to receive her jersey prior to tonight’s game against visiting Benet Academy.The Under Armour All-American team is a group of top high school volleyball players selected to play in the Under Ar...
Ultimate VBC/Illprepvb Player of the Week Kendall Kozak puts team’s interests first
Minooka's Kendall Kozak (6) has been a weapon for the Indians as both a setter and an attacker. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor Minooka setter/opposite hitter Kendall Kozak may not join the 1,000 kills-1,000 assists club for her career, but there’s no denying the contributions she has made to the Indians’ program since joining the varsity as a sophomore. Last week, the 5-10 senior registered her 1,000th career assist as Minooka defeated Romeoville, 25-15, 25-20, to remain atop the Southwest Prairi...
Assumption refuses to yield to McAuley; Glenbrook North wins own tournament
Cayla Prohaska had 20 klls in Saturday's championship match of the ASICS Challenge, but Assumption took the title, 17-25, 31-29, 25-17. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorMother McAuley had not one, not two, not three … but six chances to win the ASICS Challenge on the south side Saturday.Assumption (Louisville, Kentucky) just refused to go away.The Rockets fought off six match points in the second set, the last trailing 29-28, then went on an 8-1 run leading 16-15 late in the third to defeat the Mighty Macs, 17-...
St. Charles North squanders a pair of big leads, but holds on to beat St. Francis
Haley Burgdorf (23) and her St. Charles North teammates built a pair of big leads, then held on to defeat visiting St. Francis, 25-18, 25-22, on Wednesday. (File photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorSo how did Haley Burgdorf spend much of her Wednesday?“Raw-dogging,”’ she said.The St. Charles North senior class was given the day off from school Wednesday while others in the building were testing. The disruption of their routine clearly threw the North Stars off their game Wednesday against visiting St. Francis.Althou...