Barrington's (from left) Dennis Kukovski, Garrett Rohlwing, John Kane, Matt Kravstov and Robbie Jensen led the Broncos to a 25-15, 25-20 victory over New Trier Wednesday in Barrington. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThat lineup Barrington fielded during its opening weekend at the Niles Invitational? You can throw it out the window.“Putting Garrett (6-9 junior Rohlwing) in the middle … doesn't that make a difference?” said Barrington coach Charlie Spry. “And Darius (6-1 setter Voth) is a fine blocker, and Robbie’s (6-1 rightside h...

Glenbard West defeated York in the West Suburban Conference Silver Division opener for both teams Tuesday in Elmhurst. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor In a match with more swings than a park district playground, Glenbard West was the swingingest. Six-foot-3 sophomore Chris Cudzilo had 11 kills and 6 digs, 6-5 sophomore middle hitter Jack Belda added 9 kills and a block, and 5-10 setter Andrew Fanella had 18 assists, 7 digs and an ace as the Hilltoppers handed York its first loss of the season, 25-20, 21-25, 25-23, in both teams’...

Top Notch 17U Elite fell just short in its bid to qualify for nationals at this weekend's 2026 adidas Windy City National Qualifier 11-17s at McCormick Place. https://youtu.be/Oxgv2nX6JsI By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorTop Notch 17U Elite will have to wait another week, but the wait is over for VC United 171 Elite.Top Notch 17U Elite and VC United 171 Elite were among the hundreds of teams that converged on McCormick Place this weekend for the 2026 adidas Windy City National Qualifier 11-17s.Both were among teams either seeking ...

The Taft Eagles out of the Chicago Public League defeated the host Cougars to win the Conant tournament Saturday in Hoffman Estates. https://youtu.be/zq00wxzB2o0 By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor Someone asked Taft’s junior standout outside hitter Nicolas Pasala if his arm was a little worse for wear after playing five games in one day Saturday. “Kind of,” he said. “Wow. That game was insane.” Sore arm or no, Conant coach Drewann Reibel was impressed. “Number seven (Pasala) hurt us,” she said. “He’s a good player.”Pa...

DeKalb's first-ever boys volleyball team will begin its historic debut season by competing in the Belvidere North JV Quad on Saturday By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.com DeKalb juniors Joey Stratton and Grady Fowler are going to make history in more than one way on April 4.When they take the court at the Belvidere North JV Quad, it will mark the first time the Barbs have competed in boys volleyball at any level. That won’t be the only noteworthy thing about the Barbs’ debut. Like all of the other 32 players in DeKalb’s new pr...

From the frying pan into the fire... after facing unbeaten Wheaton North on Saturday, Joliet West sophomore middle hitter Adryan Benevides (10), junior setter Sam Racutt (13) and the Tigers faced once-beaten Lockport on Monday. (File photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comLast year marked the first time the Lockport boys volleyball team had a losing season since Nick Mraz became coach in 2014.    The Porters don't plan to have another one this spring.  Lockport continued its winning ways by easing past Jo...

DePaul College Prep's Kai Kroth led the Rams to the championship at the Niles Invitational last weekend. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor Kai Kroth knows better than to upset someone living under the same roof.“I would say we’re both good,” said DePaul College Prep’s 6-foot-3 outside hitter, whose younger sister, Kalia, led the Rams’ girls team to their first-ever trip downstate and a fourth-place finish in the IHSA Class 3A tournament in 2024 and broke the 1,000-killl barrier this fall.“I don't want to call her out,” Kai said....

Joliet West junior setter Sam Racutt dives to make a dig during the championship match versus Wheaton North at the Joliet West invitational. Wheaton North won 25-23, 25-17, to improve to 6-0. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.com  With six regular rotation players returning from last season's squad, which placed fourth in the state, O'Fallon is expecting great things this season. In the opening weekend, the Panthers got them.  Behind tournament MVP Nathan McBride, O'Fallon captured the title of ...