Ultimate B18 Gold (far court) finished 13th in the 18 Open division at the 50th AAU Boys National Championships in Orlando, Florida, behind 6-7 outside hitter Tyler Tharpe (Whitney Young), who is headed to Ohio State in the fall. (File photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe boys’ club season ended a little over a week ago, but the start of another season is just around the corner.So, what did we learn from the past year?There are strong rising senior and junior classes in Illinois, but the time lost to COVID has sig...

Glenbard West junior outside hitter Casey Maas (1) was named to the six-man all-tournament team at Glenbrook North last weekend. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe end is nigh.For some, it cannot come soon enough. For others, it’s only the beginning of a journey they will hope will consummate with a visit to Hoffman Estates on June 2-3.These are the last Illinois’ boys high school rankings of the regular season. As such, we’ve expanded the rankings to 25 (actually 27, including ties) teams. How it all shake...

Barington's Quinn Kozak (9) and Gavin Rohlwing (11) go up to block St. Rita's Aidan Peloquin (2) at the Wheaton Warrenville South Tiger Classic. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor“I told the boys that championships are won in June, not in April.” – Lincoln-Way West coach Jodi Frigo.Frigo is absolutely correct. We are not even halfway through the boys’ season, and it’s too early to speculate about what will happen at Hoffman Estate June 2-3. But we do know this … there are teams that have established themselves a...

MOD Elite B15 Blue, which has gone on hiatus until the 2023 AAU/JVA Windy City Roundup at McCormick Place on June 17-18, won nine of its final 10 matches prior to the break including a victory over previously No. 1-ranked SPVB B15 Elite. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjZLTQ90xMQ By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorLast weekend’s 2nd City Showdown marked the end of the boys club season – with a few notable exceptions – until the boys high school season concludes in early June.So, these will be the final 1st Alliance VBC/Illprepv...

1st Alliance 17 Silver won the 17 Select diviison of the Triple Crown NIT in Kansas City, Missouri, om February 18-20. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe onset of spring on March 20 can only mean two things – the threat of cold, snow and freezing rain will linger for a few more weeks, and the girls club season will heat up for the stretch drive to AAU and USAV nationals in three months.  Meanwhile, here are the latest 1st Alliance VBC/Illprepvb.com Girls Club Rankings of the 2022-23 season:1. 1st Alliance 18 Gold (1) 21-6The Tripl...

Michio Chicago 15 National's Cassidy Cage (28) challenges the block attempt of Illini Elite 16 Cardinal's Peyton Sasse during Windy City Power League play on Sunday, February 5. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) https://youtu.be/WQXxDUD-2kg Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorEnough time has passed (or has it?) to take a swing at ranking Illinois’ girls club teams.Two have already qualified for the 2023 Girls 18s National Championship in Columbus, Ohio, April 28-30 – 1st Alliance 18 Gold and VC United 182 Elite -- while rarely a weekend goes...

MOD Elite B15 Blue finished third in the 15 Open division at last weekend's The Socal Cup: The Open Championship in Anaheim, California. On the home page is SPVB B18 Elite, which finished third in the 18 Open division in California, best among all entries from Illinois. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor Just about everybody in Illinois flew a little more than 2,000 miles to compete at The Socal Cup: The Open Championship in Anaheim, California, last weekend. But their next trip will be considerably shorter.Illinois boys’ club t...

Adversity 16 Adidas-South finished third in the 16 Open division at the 2022 AAU/JVA Chi-town Boys Challenge on November 19-21 at McCormick Place. And now, the rest of the story. Monday, we announced the initial 1st Alliance VBC/Illprepvb.com Boys Club 18s rankings of the new season. Today, we take a look at the top 17s, 16s and 15s boys club teams in Illinois. (Of course, this could all change by the end of the week when THE Point Series 15-18s 2022 wraps up.) But for now, strap in. Here are the initial 1st Alliance VBC/Illpre...

Adversity 16 Adidas-South put together back-to-back wins in the 16 Open divisions at THE Point Series 15-18s 2022 and the 2022 JVA Showdown in Motown. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorWith a few exceptions, boys’ club teams will go on hiatus over the holidays, giving us time to catch up with the final weekend of THE Point Series 15-18s 2022 and the 2022 JVA Showdown in Motown last weekend in Detroit, Michigan.Through the early part of the season, 630 Volleyball 18-1 and Adversity B16 Adidas-South have established themselves as seri...

SPVB 18 Lenny finished third in the 18 Premier division at the AAU/JVA Chi-Town Boys Challenge on November 19-21. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorWhile we were sleeping … While the Illinois high school girls were completing their run to the IHSA finals in Normal, boys’ club teams throughout the state began in earnest. So, it’s time to play a little catch-up.Today, we start with a look at the top 18s teams in Illinois. All but Blue Steel – which competes in the HPSTL Ladder Series in St. Louis -- have completed three of four se...