Matthew Muehlnickel (10) and his Lincoln-Way East teammates would face rival Lincoln-Way West in a sectional semifinal should both teams advance in the Collinsville sectional. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor Only one more week remains in the regular season before we get to that one-and-done portion of the program. Looking ahead to the IHSA tournament, we know Marist should have next to no difficulty advancing to the semifinals at Hoffman Estates. Their possible (probable? likely? inevitable?...

Loyola (far court) will look to avenge its only loss of the season Thursday when the Ramblers visit St. Francis. (File photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorProm.Every player’s dream. Every coach’s nightmare. Every pundit’s quandary.I remember prom (which was shortly before Nixon’s re-election and long before the days of boys’ volleyball). Spending hours waxing dad's Grecian green '68 Bel Air. A foot race between two classmates – each with a broken leg, one right and the other left – across the underlit dance ...

Junior middle hitter Ben Boyce (10) and Wheaton North finished fifth at last weekend's 20th Annual Tiger Classic. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe eyes of the boys’ volleyball world will be on Brother Rice this weekend (OK, not all, but quite a few), where Glenbard West and Marist could be headed to a showdown for early (or is it midway?) bragging rights at the annual Smack Attack.  Elsewhere this weekend, Downers Grove South will also play host a strong field for the annual Rick Griesheim Invitationa...

Eddie Muller (2) and St. Francis finished third in perhaps the deepest field of any tournament in Illinois this season last weekend at Downers Grove South. (Photo by Dave Ruggles). By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor There was a major shakeup in the rankings after last weekend. Breaking into the rankings proved none too fortuitous for several teams, who had no sooner joined the top 20 than they were bounced out, while disaster struck other rankings mainstays via injury and surprising losses. Even the top five were not i...

Adam Janowiak and Downers Grove North travel to Glenbard West on Tuesday. (File photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorIt was a relatively quiet week with most teams taking advantage of spring (?) break to relax, refocus and reflect. However, there were a few teams in action last week, and the season resumes in earnest beginning today.Meanwhile, here are the latest 2024 Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com Boys High School Rankings (with preseason ranking in parenthesis) with our comments about the IHSA’s grossly im...

After participating in a couple of scrimmages, including one at Munciana in mid-January, Sidney Hamaker (17) and SPVB 18 Elite will compete at the 24 Central Zone Invitational in Indianapolis on February 3-4. Notice: You may not distribute, modify, transmit, reuse, re-post, or use the content of the Site for public or commercial purposes, including the text, images, audio, and video, without Illprepvb.com, LLC’s written permission. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorSo it begins.Here are the initial 2024 Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepv...

SPVB B18 Elite went 14-2 to win the 18/17 Open division of THE Point Series that wrapped up last Sunday at the Wintrust Sports Complex in Bedford Park. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorWhat about Lenny?Lenny, Sports Performance’s erstwhile “No. 2” 18s team, is anything but a No. 2 team this club season. Not only did Lenny hand SPVB B18 Elite its only two losses during THE Point Series 15-18’s 2023 at the Wintrust Sports Complex this fall, but it also defeated 630 Volleyball 18-1 in straight sets on consecutive days last weekend.In ...

Club IV 17-Boost out of Quincy, Illinois, went 11-0 in the 17 American division at last weekend's Mideast Qualifier to punch its ticket to Las Vegas this summer. Notice: You may not distribute, modify, transmit, reuse, re-post, or use the content of the Site for public or commercial purposes, including the text, images, audio, and video, without Illprepvb.com, LLC’s written permission. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorClub Fusion 18-1 National took a step up in class at the 2024 Nike Mideast Qualifier last weekend in Indianapoli...

Josilyn Wadas (16) and her Mission 18 Elite teammates wrapped up 2024 Windy City Power League play on Sunday, finishing 7-5 overall and seventh among the 18s. teams. On the home page is Fusion 18-1 National's Gabby Rendina. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorCongratulations to 1st Alliance 17 Gold after wrapping up the 2024 Windy City Power League championship over the weekend and finishing second in the 17 & Under division at the 2024 Triple Crown NIT in Kansas City on February 17-19.There were a few cha...

Illini Elite 17 Cardinal's Maia Olson (31) goes up against the block of 1st Alliance 17 Silver's Keira O'Donnell (1) and Layla Christian (67) during Windy City Power League play Sunday in Woodridge. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorA busy weekend around girls’ club volleyball with things only promising to get hotter in two weeks over the Presidents Day weekend.Meanwhile, here are the latest 2024 Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com Girls Club Rankings (with records in parenthesis) as of February 7, 2024:...