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...

Back on top. Benet Acadmey's loss to Marist last week and Marist's loss to Mother McAuley at the ASICS Challenge put the Mighty Macs back on top the Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com rGirls High School Rankings. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorSports Performance owner/director Troy Gilb, who coached in Nebraska for several years, has a novel idea.Why not follow the Nebraska model when conducting the IHSA tournament?Nebraska, which has six classes, divides the state into six sections. Each section winner ...

Glenbard West's Adam Graham is one of several juniors who will return in 2024 bidding to earn the Toppers' second three-peat since 2015-17. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorI feel the need … the need, to seed.For the second time in two years, arguably the two best teams in the Illinois met prior to the IHSA tournament championship game.Last year, Barrington (36-3), led by Player of the Year Jack O’Riordan (Ohio State), lost a tough three-setter to eventual IHSA champion Glenbard West in the sectional champio...

Macomb's Kennedy Adair recorded her 1,000th career kill during Saturday's tournament at Quincy Notre Dame. That’s a wrap on the 2022 regular season. Now the real fun begins.Less than three weeks from today, the IHSA will crown champions in four classes. The road to Redbird Arena has more potholes than an Illinois winter. Who will navigate it best?That question, and more, will be answered in the next few weeks.Meanwhile, here are the final regular-season 1st Alliance VBC/Illprepvb.com Girls High School Rankings:Class 4A (last week’s rank...

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...

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...

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...