Bella Potempa (10) was the key complementary piece to current Texas freshman Abby Vander Wal (left) during Timothy Christian's run to the Class 2A semifinals in 2024. Now, Potempa has taken on the leading role for the 13-0 Trojans. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorIt’s her team now.Or is it?For three years, Timothy Christian’s 5-10 outside hitter Bella Potempa played Festus to Matt Dillon. Little Buddy to the Skipper. Samwise Gamgee to Frodo Baggins. Hermione Granger to Harry Potter. Blue to the men of Lamb...
With its top two hitters out, Normal West finds some positives despite loss to Benet
Normal West lost four-year starter Olivia Ziemer (36, shown here playing with her Illini Elite team a year ago) prior to the start of the season, and then lost Virgiinia Tech recruit Avery Feltes to a knee injury Tuesday. (File photo by Dave Ruggles) By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.com Playing without your two starting outside hitters is never easy.Just ask Normal West setter Laine Thompson, who finds herself in that unenviable position.The Wildcats lost four-year starter Olivia Ziemer to a knee injury on the eve of preseason camp. ...
Bridget Ferriter, Lockport extend their hot start with a gritty win over Plainfield East
Lockport, which finished second at last weekend's Mizuno Crimson Classic at the Great Lakes Volleyball Center in Aurora, improved to 6-1 with Thursday's victory over Plainfield East in their home opener. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comBridget Ferriter wants to go out with a bang.Entering Thursday's match, the Lockport outside hitter was averaging 11 kills per game. She came away with 10 kills Thursday to help the Porters defeat Plainfield East, 25-22, 25-19, in their home opener.With the hard-fought win, the...
Benet Academy looks to get acquainted, Lincoln-Way East looking to get healthy
Benet Academy seniors Lynney Tarnow (12) and Ellie Stiernagle (11) are still getting to know their new teammates after graduation claimed 10 players off last year's Class 4A runner-up. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorBenet Academy is looking to get better acquainted. Lincoln-Way East is just looking to get healthy.The two teams met Tuesday in Lisle, and although the Redwings won, 25-17, 25-14, the result was almost secondary to the process.“It’s still really early, and we’re still trying to get to know each othe...
Marist slips Lockport at Crimson Classic; Macs extend Metea win streak to four
Marist fought off three set points in the first set of its 29-27, 25-17 victory over Lockport to win the 2025 Mizuno Crimson Classic. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorMaybe Marist was a little surprised to see Lockport on the other side of the net when the RedHawks began warm-ups prior to the start of the championship game Saturday at the 2025 Mizuno Crimson Classic in Aurora.Maybe the RedHawks were caught a little off-guard.“We really didn't see them today,” said Marist coach Jordan Vidovic. “We didn’t even know...
How to become a Premium Access member of Illprepvb.com
Ultimate VBC/Illprepvb Player of the Week Savanah Weathers rises above the rest
Marist's Savanah Weathers (10) was named the MVP of the 32-team 2025 Mizuno Crimson Classic last weekend at the Great Lakes Volleyball Center in Aurora. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorSavanah Weathers doesn’t remember being the MVP of anything during her volleyball career.“Maybe in grade school,” she said.Weathers certainly won’t forget her most recent accolade, however – being named the MVP of the 32-team Mizuno Crimson Classic last weekend at the Great Lakes Volleyball Center in Aurora.Weathers led Marist...
Top-ranked Bloomington Central Catholic weathers test from (Downs) Tri-Valley
Auburn recruit Kampbell Niepagen of Central Catholic (7) battled at the net against Northern Iowa-recruit Annabelle Bischoff (16) and Isabella Medeiros (8) of Tri-Valley at Downs on Thursday. Central Catholic won, 25-14, 26-28, 25-17. (Photo by Randy Sharer) By Randy Sharer Special to Illprepvb.comDOWNS – It’s not often both teams in a high school volleyball match get what they want, but that’s what happened Thursday as host Tri-Valley showed it can make a state title contender sweat.Sweating now, however, could help Bloomington Central ...
Glenbard West vies to be best at West Suburban Silver-heavy Blue & Gold invite
Last year's tournament runner-up Glenbard West is hoping to finish on top at this year's Wheaton North Blue and Gold Tournament behind (from left) Cara Herbert, Farryn Burridge, Phoebe Risner, Ella Rowe and Kayla Street. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe Wheaton North 40th Annual Blue and Gold Tournament has a definite West Suburban Silver vibe going.With defending champion Benet Academy exiting for the Mizuno Crimson Classic this weekend, Glenbard West pulled down the No. 1 seed in the 12-team tournament that opened Wednesday and w...
Making a jump in class, Timothy Christian proves it can still play with the big girls
A Class 2A semifinalist in 2024, Timothy Christian made its debut as a Class 3A school Monday against visiting York. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorAfter reaching the Class 2A semifinals last year for the first time since 2015 and setting a school record for wins (35) behind Texas freshman and Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com all-state selection Abby Vander Wal, Timothy Christian finds itself reclassified Class 3A this season.Abby gone? 2A done?Who? Me worry?“We're super excited about it,” said Timothy Christian’s four-year starter an...