ESVBC Elite 15U Ice (Eastside Volleyball Club, East Peoria) joins the rankings after winning the Midwest Challenge at Academy Volleyball Club in Indianapolis on January 30-31. This is the last installment of Illprepvb.com’s latest look at some of the top clubs in Illinois in their respective age groups.Like we said back in December, the 15s are always the most difficult to predict for a number of reasons. This season, that uncertainty was magnified partly because many 14s experienced a shortened competitive season in 2020, and in some...

Lions 15-1 showed a lot of determination Sunday to defeat Adversity G15 Adidas at UNO Volleyball Club and win the 15 Girls division of the GLR Girls Regional Qualifier. Lions 15-1 outside hitter Elizabeth Sessa tips the ball between Adversity G15 Adidas defenders Morgan Jones (20) and Josilyn Wadas (6). Photo by Dave Ruggles. The GLR Girls Regional Qualifier is in the books. There were a few surprises. There were also some predictable finishes.  What's next?The girls' high school season kicks off Saturday, interrupted briefly ...

Adversity G18 Adidas poses with their silver medals Sunday at the 2021 USAV Girls 18s Junior National Championship in Columbus, Ohio, Adversity nearly overcame.Nearly.After dropping the first set, 25-19, to Premier Nebraska 18 Gold (Omaha, Nebraska), in the championship match of the 18 Open division at the 2021 USAV Girls 18s Junior National Championship in Columbus, Ohio, on Sunday, Adversity rallied to take the second set, 25-19.The girls from Vernon Hills then eased to leads of 8-6 and 10-8 in the third set. But Premier went on a ...

Three years ago, St. Francis coach Mike Lynch won his 500th career game. Is this the year he wins his first IHSA championship? Game on. Last week, the IHSA board OK’d a state tournament series for boys’ volleyball in anticipation of the relaxing of Illinois Department of Public Health guidelines on June 11. Sectional assignments have already been announced, and seeding is scheduled for Wednesday, May 19. The state finals will take place Friday-Saturday, June 18-19, at a yet-to-be-disclosed location.“We are excited to be able to of...

The talents of Fusion 16 Red's Grace Egan (Sterling) and Illini Elite 16 Cardinal's Lily Barry (Normal U-High) were on display during the 2019 IHSA volleyball championships at Redbird Arena. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) Many volleyball clubs throughout Illinois are proceeding with plans to resume after the first of the year. The Great Lakes Volleyball Center in Aurora recently released its schedule for the new year, which includes its Challenge Cup series and Presidents’ Day tournament (see the "Wanted" section).The dates to begin the Wind...

The AAU Girls Junior National Volleyball Championships are still scheduled for July 14-22, in Orlando, Florida. But because of the lack of local competitors, the tournament will have no bearing on our rankings. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) It is hard to believe that, for all intents and purposes, the 2020 girls club season ended nearly four months ago. Five Illinois clubs, including 1st Alliance, Top Flight and Sky High, have entered teams in the AAU Girls Junior National Championships in Orlando, Florida, on July 14-22, which has banned ...

There was some movement in this week's girls club rankings with Sky High Adidas 18 Black taking over the top spot among the 18s and Michio Chicago 16 National moving to the top of the 16s field. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) The Windy City Power League seeding is over and the league season is underway. Surprises? There were a few. Meanwhile, with a few exceptions, the schedule is a little light prior to Presidents’ Day tournaments hosted by the Great Lakes Volleyball Center in Aurora and Sky High Volleyball Center in Crystal Lake. ...

SPVB G18 Elite's Audrey Rome (Sandwich, on the home page) and Adversity G18 Adidas' middle hitter Gigi Barr (York, pictured inside) are two of reasons their teams rank in the top three of the 1st Alliance VBC/Illprepvb.com Preseason Girls Club Rankings. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) When will they start? How will they finish?Like the boys, the girls club season is on hold while Illinois continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. The governor’s recent restriction on youth indoor sports has forced Illinois clubs to break for the time being,...

Grayson Juel (58) and his UNO Boys 18 Elite teammates battled their way to the 18 Open division Gold bracket quarterfinals at last weekend's Winter Volleyball Championship at McCormick Place. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) The 2020 Boys Winter Volleyball Championship at McCormick Place last weekend was a boon for some and a nightmare for others. Despite earning several bids, Illinois teams came away with only two championships in the 15-and-over divisions – SPVB B18 Lenny in 18 USA and SPVB B16 Alpha in 16 USA. Ultimate B14 Gold did win t...

The girls' club season is well underway and it's time to sort of who's who among the best in Illinois for 2020. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) The Windy City Power League is underway and the 2020 girls club season is kicking into high gear.SPVB 18 Elite, Michio Chicago 17 National, SPVB 16 Elite and Lions 15-1 topped the 2019 final club rankings, and all four – despite the obvious personnel changes – are among the top five teams in their age groups heading into the 2020 campaign.So here they are, the initial 2020 Michio Chicago/Illprepvb.com ...