MOD Elite B18 Blue joined Adversity B18 Adidas in the championship bracket of the 18 Open division at last week's AAU Boys National Championship in Orlando. Orlando, Florida – The results from the first AAU Boys National Championships at the Orange County Convention Center this week in Orlando were a mixed bag for the boys from Illinois.But one thing seems certain, the AAU boys’ championships are likely here to stay.“We’re pretty happy with AAUs,” said 630 Volleyball club director Nick Maruyama, whose team walked away with seven medals last...
Kaneland bounces back in a big way, beats Morris in Interstate Eight showdown
Kaneland celebrated its second victory over Morris this season with a large contingent of student supporters Thursday. Morris hopes to get middle hitter Hanna Lauterbach (far left) back in time for the IHSA tournament. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorGone from last year’s 34-4 sectional finalist are Madison Buckley (Ball State) and Meghan O’Sullivan (Grand Valley State).Gone, too, are Bella Rio (University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh) and libero Mackenzie Ewen (California Polytechnic State University).Mia Kane, a junior setter on last ye...
Joliet Catholic follows Zach Pekol’s lead, stays positive in win over Metea Valley
Bartosz Chmielewski (seen here last year at the Wheaton Classic) had 13 kills, but it was not enough as Metea Valley fell to visiting Joliet Catholic Wednesday. (file photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorJoliet Catholic could have folded after squandering four set points in set one and surrendering a 15-8 lead in set two Wednesday at Metea Valley.But …“Our main motto this year is stay positive and enjoy the ride,” said Joliet Catholic’s 6-9 rightside hitter Luke Pekol. “Volleyball is game of runs. Between set...
Adversity G18 Adidas advances, others falter at Windy City Girls 18s Qualifier
Six-foot-3 outside hitter Catherine Burke (Loyola) and her Adversity G18 Adidas teammates finished second in their pool Saturday at the Windy City Girls 18s National Qualifier in Schaumburg. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) https://youtu.be/9NSxa5L6H5w By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorAdversity G18 Adidas lived to fight another day, but VC United 181 Elite was not as fortunate, losing a three-way tiebreaker in its pool during day one of the Windy City Girls 18s National Qualifier Saturday at the Schaumburg Convention Center.Adversity defea...
Miscues foil Limestone's plans for an upset as No. 2-ranked Metamora romps
No. 2-ranked Metamora received 7 kills from Esma Frieden (8) during a 25-14, 25-18 win over visiting Bartonville Limestone on Tuesday. On the home page, Bartonville Limestone setter Alayna Rudebeck (2) found herself in a joust against Metamora's Sophie Fletcher. (Photos by Randy Sharer) By Randy SharerSpecial to Illprepvb.comMETAMORA – What was slated to be a barnburner got washed away by uncharacteristic unforced errors from Bartonville Limestone in a matchup of Mid-Illini Conference co-leaders on Tuesday.Few opponents of Metamora, rank...
Taylorville stuns No. 1 Normal U-High; IC's Falduto, Russ keep their vow
The Taylorville Tornado3s are surrounded by their fans after knocking off No. 1-ranked Normal U-High at the (Chatham) Glenwood Class 3A Supersectional. (Photo by Randy Sharer) At (Chatham) GlenwoodCHATHAM – Down a set and trailing 23-17 in Game 2, Taylorville needed a lot of things to go right in order to upset Normal University High in the Chatham Glenwood Class 3A Supersectional on Friday.The stars improbably aligned as Taylorville pulled out a 22-25, 26-24, 25-23 shocker over U-High, which came in ranked No. 1 by Illprepvb.com.“We w...
Presenting the 2022 Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com Boys All-State Team
Lincoln-Way East's Jared Byas was named the Southwest Suburban Conference Player of the Year and led the Griffins to the IHSA championship game. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) Today, we are pleased to announce the 2022 Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com Boys All-State Volleyball Team, our fourth annual effort to honor the best boys high school volleyball players in Illinois.Coaches were invited to nominate players to the all-state team. Team members were selected based upon their accomplishments on the court and as high school student-ath...
Presenting the 2022 Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com Special Mention Team
Oswego East's Vivian Campbell (far court) led the Wolves to a Southwest Prairie Conference title and one of the best seasons in school historty. On the home page is Joliet Catholic's Ava Neushwander. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Today, we are pleased to announce the Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com 2022 Girls All-State Volleyball Special Mention Team. Coaches across Illinois were invited to nominate players to the all-state team. Team members were selected based upon their accomplishments on the court and in the classroom as high school stu...
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...