Benet's Sophie Gregus hits over the block of Marist's Ellie Kurpeikis and freshman Kamryn Chaney (Photo by Dave Ruggles). NORMAL – The Roman philosopher Seneca once said, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." Benet coach Brad Baker had his own spin on preparation Friday in the catacombs of Redbird Arena. “It’s one thing to know what to do, it’s another thing to do it,” he said. Benet did it. Behind a smothering Game 1 defense and an 11-4 run in Game 2 that wiped out a 17-11 deficit, Benet defeated two-time defending Cl...
Vasquez setting up winners for Barrington; Downers Grove South stuns Rockford Boylan
Gabe Hartke led Barrington with 17 kills Thursday at Downers Grove South. (photo by Dave Ruggles) Barrington’s Kyle Vasquez has not set a ball in anger since his freshman year. He is better known as one of the top liberos in the Class of 2019 and has committed to play volleyball at Benedictine University, ranked No. 5 in the nation in Division III. But after the Broncos struggled through the first half of the season despite returning four starters from last year’s 34-6 IHSA quarterfinalist, Vasquez was pressed into duty at the reins of the ...
Illprepvb.com presents the 20 All-Time Best Illinois Girls Volleyball Teams, Nos. 6-10
Illprepvb.com Team of the Year Sterling defeated Joliet Catholic in the 2018 Class 3A championship match to claim the school's first volleyball title. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) There have been many great teams throughout the history of IHSA girls’ high school volleyball – undefeated champions, once-beaten champions, and some teams that did not win a state championship despite their pedigree. Today, Illprepvb.com continues its countdown of the 20 All-Time Best Illinois Girls' High School Volleyball Teams. The task was monumental, to ...
Marist’s balance, determination too much for Mother McAuley in sectional final
Marist defeated Mother McAuley for the third time this season to win the Class 4A sectional at Marist. By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comMarist took care of business. Displaying the balanced attack and fortitude that made them a two-time defending IHSA Class 4A champion, the host RedHawks toppled Mother McAuley, 25-21, 25-13, Wednesday in the title match of the Class 4A sectional at Marist. The victory was the 24th consecutive win for Marist (37-2), which will face Sandburg at 7:00 p.m. on Friday at the Eisenhower supe...
Normal Community wins battle of unbeatens, stops Chopra, Champaign Central
Michigan recruit Mira Chopra (far left) and her Champaign Central teammates ventured to Normal Thursday where they were handed their first loss of the season by unbeaten Normal Community. (Photo courtesy of News-Gazette) Normal Community's Mallory Oloffson (left) helped the undefeated Lady Iron top previously unbeaten Champaign Central, 25-14, 17-25, 25-20, at Normal. Looking to dig up a potential block by Brianna Becker (11) and Olivia Jackson (7) are Addison Boundy (3) and Sophia Feeney (1). (Photo by Randy Sharer). By Randy Sharer...
Seventh straight final four not out of question for Glenbard West; and more
Glenbard West and outside hitter Nicco Cavalcante (far right) are shooting for their seventh consecutive final four appearance in the IHSA tournament. (Photo by Dave Ruggles). Illprepvb.com continues its look at the 2020 boys' high school volleyball season with another set of team previews. Illprepvb.com provides the best in boys volleyball coverage throughout the season anywhere in the state. School: Glenbard WestConference: West Suburban SilverHead coach: Christine Giunta MayerLast season’s highlights: 37-4 overall,6-0 in conferenc...
Delaying girls’ high school volleyball until spring would be an “absolute disaster”
These 2019 graduates of Mother McAuley were able to complete their senior season. But what does the future hold for the teammates they leave behind? Stevenson High School officials announced last week that the Lincolnshire campus would essentially remain off limits to the school's nearly 4,400 students when the 2020-21 term begins August 17, likely for the entire first semester. Elgin-based School District U-46 announced that its 38,000-plus students will learn remotely during the first seven weeks of the upcoming school year, while Glen...
Jepsen leads Marist into the history books with victory over Glenbard West
Glenbard West's Ryan Swartz had 9 kills to lead the Hilltoppers past New Trier in a semifinal Saturday at Hoffman Estates. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) Marist's Marty Jepsen had 8 kills in a semifinal victory over Oak Park-River Forest. Move over, Superman. There’s a new sheriff in town.Marty Jepsen slammed 14 kills on 31 attempts without an error for a staggering .452 kill percentage to lead No. 1-ranked Marist to a 25-21, 25-23 victory over Glenbard West in the championship match of the 2019 IHSA boys’ volleyball tournament Saturday at H...
Waubonsie Valley prizes sectional title; Funk should be Titan-ic for El Paso-Gridley
Waubonsie Valley's (from left) Elenzie France, Melissa Walden and Gabi Croll headline what should be one of the best teams in all of Illinois. Illprepvb.com continues its coverage of the 2019 Illinois girls high school season with another set of team previews. School: BataviaConference: DuKaneHead coach: Lori Trippi-PayneLast season’s highlights: 14-22 overall, 3-4 in conference, finished fifth at the Maine West Pumpkin tournament, awarded the AVCA All-Academic All-American Award for the 22nd year in a row with a 3.84 cumulative team...
Updated: IHSA moves target date to May 1 for return of spring sports
Wheaton North coach John Noe IV is optimistic that the 2020 boys volleyball season can be saved despite the ongoing spread of the COVID-19 virus. Updated April 1, 2020 Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s most recent executive order called for schools to remain shuttered until April 30, and the Illinois High School Association released a statement Wednesday indicating that May 1 is the target date for the spring sports season to resume."Even though Illinois schools will remain closed through April 30 following the March 31 announcement by Illin...