Setter Easton Donausky (8) and Sandburg advanced to Tuesday's sectional championship match at Hinsdale Central with its win Saturday over Reavis. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comThe Sandburg boys' volleyball team underwent a change before this season with former assistant Madisen Babich taking over as head coach.How did that change the Eagles? “We have a new coaching staff and an entirely new culture,” said Sandburg outside hitter Jeremiah Aro said. “They held us accountable. We just shut up and worked.”Th...

Matt Swiatkowski (9) and Benet Academy, who defeated Oswego, 25-20, 25-14, in the regional championship match Thursday in Oswego, will face Plainfield South in a sectional semifinal at Hinsdale South at 2:00 p.m. Saturday. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorWith their team trailing 21-16 in the third set to No. 2-ranked Downers Grove North in the regional championship match Thursday on the Trojans’ home floor, even the most fervent Plainfield South fan had to have some doubt creeping into their mind.But not Do...

Ermuun Batchuluun had 15 assists, 3 kills and a block in Naperville North's 25-17, 25-16 loss Tuesday to Downers Grove North in a regional semifinal in Downers Grove. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorWhen Plainfield South and Lincoln-Way West met earlier this season at the Wheaton Warrenville South tournament, the Warriors won the battle, 21-25, 25-23, 25-20.That victory helped Lincoln-Way West earn the No. 7 seed in the Hinsdale South sectional, ahead of No. 10 seed Plainfield South.The Cougars remembered, a...

West division winner Barrington won its fourth Mid-Suburban League championship in the past five years Thursday, defeating East winner Prospect, 25-17, 25-17, in Mt. Prospect. By Phi BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorBarrington’s boys volleyball team has had more players miss time with injuries and illness this season than the Chicago Cubs’ pitching staff.Six-foot-1 outside hitter Eli Rodda, the team’s lone four-year varsity player and projected as a six-rotation starter, suffered a knee injury April 9, and, prior to Thursday, made only one...

St. Charles North's Diego Torres (8) had 5 kills during the North Stars' 25-18, 25-23 victory over Geneva in Saturday's quarterfinal match at the regional hosted by St. Charles East . )File photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorNobody has done a study of the IHSA boys volleyball tournament, but…Since the NCAA Division I men’s basketball field expanded to 65 teams in 1985, the No. 8 vs. No. 9 seeds have the closest head-to-head record with the No. 9 seed owning an 83-77 advantage, a 51.88 winning percentage.Somebody fo...

Aidan Akkawi led Downers Grove North with 11 kills in the Trojans' 25-19, 25-12 rout of Glenbard West Tuesday in Downers Grove. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.comPractice made perfect for Downers Grove North on Tuesday.Or at least as close to perfect as a volleyball team can get against an elite opponent.The Trojans, ranked No. 3 in the latest Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com Boys H.S. Rankings, made only five hitting errors and got dominant performances across the board in sweeping second-ranked Glenbard W...

Barrington's Matt Louis was a latecomer to the sport and was barely a twos team player when he began. Last week, he was named the Mid-Suburban West Player of the Year. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorEach week during the volleyball season, we announce an Ultimate VBC/Illprepvb.com Player of the Week. Coaches throughout Illinois are invited to nominate a player for their outstanding performance on and off the court.This week, the Ultimate VBC/Illprepvb.com Player of the Week is Barrington’s 6-6 middle hitter Matt Louis.Louis w...

Vince Spadoni had les West Chicago to a share of the Upstate Eight East division title this spring. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor Each week during the volleyball season, we announce an Ultimate VBC/Illprepvb.com Player of the Week. Coaches throughout Illinois are invited to nominate a player for their outstanding performance on and off the court. This week, the Ultimate VBC/Illprepvb.com Player of the Week is West Chicago’s 6-6 outside hitter Vince Spadoni. West Chicago's Vince Spadoni Spadoni has 300 kills, 48 a...

Wheaton Warrenville South, the top seed at the South Elgin sectional, will open IHSA tournament play against Bartlett at the St. Charles East regional Saturday at 8:00 a.m. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorWhenever Wheaton Warrenville South’s Mark Gheorghita attends a volleyball camp, he is reminded of the 12 core attributes of a good setter. “One of core attributes is knowing who's got the hot hand,” Gheorghita said.“Most of time, that would be Simon,” he said.Simon Bratt, Wheaton Warrenville South’s 6-3 junior outside hitter, had ...