Plainfield Central will take a much needed breather before resuming play next Tuesday when the Wildcats host Romeoville on senior night. Yorkville's Ella Bourque By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorElla Bourque has experienced the highs and lows of high school volleyball.The 5-11 senior setter is just weeks away from wrapping up her fourth and final season on Yorkville’s varsity. As a freshman, Bourque and the Foxes went 26-8 before being derailed by Lockport in a regional semifinal. Less memorable seasons of 17-18 and 7-7 followed.Ho...
There could be no denying Kaneland, and West may be the new normal in Normal
Newark's KJ Friestad (No. 18 on the home page walking toward the bench) is one of two players who were members of the Lady Norsemen's 2019 championship team that must now defend its title without the services of Madi Malone (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee). (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Illprepvb.com continues its look at the 2021 season with more previews, including those of several teams Like St. Viator and Kaneland hoping to build on their success in the spring and others like Prairie Ridge looking to move up the ladder in their respe...
Here are the final 2021 1st Alliance VBC/Illprepvb.com Boys All Club Rankings
Pipeline 18-1 advanced to the championship match of the 18 USA division at the USAV Boys Junior National Championships in Kansas City, Missouri. The party is over … for at least a few weeks.A chaotic boys’ club volleyball season – which began last fall with tryouts, took a brief hiatus during an abbreviated boys’ high school season, and resumed with practice ahead of the USAV Boys Junior National Championships, all with the specter of COVID hanging over participants and spectators alike – is finally over. Time to res...
His varsity career likely ended after one week, but his future still looks bright
St. Viator senior Daniel Fecko (foreground) personifies the definition of "student-athlete," according to his volleyball coach, Katie Post. St. Viator's Daniel Fecko (4). By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comDaniel Fecko always puts forth an extra effort.The fact that the St. Viator senior achieved a perfect score of 36 on his ACT exam is certainly proof of that.Fecko has been playing soccer and volleyball at St. Viator since he was a freshman. This spring, however, would have been his first opportunity to play on a varsity team.But w...
St. Thomas More's addition, Tri-Valley's subtraction equals victory for Sabres
Parkland College recruit Landry Warfel (5) of (Downers) Tri-Valley had 13 assists in Thursday's 27-25, 25-14 loss to visiting (Champaign) St. Thomas More. (Photo by Randy Sharer) Ohio State recruit Anna McClure of Champaign St. Thomas More returned from a broken leg to help the Sabers defeat Tri-Valley, 27-25, 25-14, at Downs on Thursday. (Photo by Randy Sharer) By Randy SharerSpecial to Illprepvb.comDOWNS – The math worked out in favor of Champaign St. Thomas Morel’s volleyball team on Thursday as the Sabers, ranked No. 1 in ...
Walenga, L-W East send Porters packing; Spartans, 'Toppers, Lancers move on
Glenbard West's Danny Pasinski (7) will lead the host Hilltoppers into Saturday's IHSA 12:00 p.m. semifinal against Lake Park. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Glenbard West coach Christine Guinta-Mayer had little reason to be displeased with her team's performance Friday. You never want to let your older brother outshine you, especially when he’s sitting on the bench just a few feet away from you, watching your every move.But that’s the situation in which Lincoln-Way East sophomore Tyler Walenga finds himself.Eight years ago, his older brothe...
Loyola joins list of survivors on opening day of 2021 Crimson Classic
No. 6 Loyola was among the top seeds that had a little trouble out of the gate Friday at the 2021 Crimson Classic hosted by Plainfield North and Plainfield Central and sponsored by Illprepvb.com. No. 2 Wheaton Warrenville South found itself trailing 23-15 in the first set of its opener against Rockford Guilford, then needed three sets to beat Normal Community.No. 5 Minooka and No. 7 Marist needed three sets to win their opening-round matches, but Minooka did not survive its second.And No. 6 Loyola fought off two set points in the first...
Illprepvb.com presents the 100 All-Time Best Illinois Girls Volleyball Players, Nos. 41-50
Mother McAuley's Ryann DeJarld celebrated a state championships with her mom and coach, Jen, before becoming a standout defensive player at Notre Dame. (Photo courtesy of Notre Dame). Today, we continue our countdown of the 100 All-Times Best Illinois Girls Volleyball Players with Nos. 41-50. Volleyball has come a long way since the IHSA began sponsoring a state tournament series in 1974. You might be hard-pressed to recognize the game. Not only have the rules changed, but so has the caliber of the athletes who compete.The growth of ...
'Don't make Jack mad,' said Wegh. So Barrington tops Buffalo Grove for MSL title
West winner Barrington repeated as Mid-Suburban League champion Thursday, outlasting East winner Buffalo Grove in Barrington. https://youtu.be/rZEqqiYHHdI By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorBarrington’s junior setter Carsten Wegh only had one thing on his mind late in the third set of the Mid-Suburban League championship game Thursday.Maybe two things.“I was just trying not to mess up,” Wegh said. “I was trying to get a good ball. Jack (O’Riordan) was pretty fiery, so I was trying to not make him mad.”Trailing 22-20, West division ch...
Illprepvb.com presents the 100 All-Time Best Illinois Girls Volleyball Players, Nos. 1-10
West Aurora graduate Lauren Carlini never played at Redbird Arena, but she has played just about everywhere else during her college and professional career. She was scheduled to play in Tokyo this summer with the U.S. women's national team. Today, we continue our countdown of the 100 All-Times Best Illinois Girls Volleyball Players with Nos. 1-10. Volleyball has come a long way since the IHSA began sponsoring a state tournament series in 1974. You might be hard-pressed to recognize the game. Not only have the rules changed, but s...