Klaudia Basierak (far left), who is Grayslake Central's all-time leader in single-season and career kills, has been named the new head coach at her alma mater. Who said you can’t go home again? Klaudia Basierak, a former standout performer at Grayslake Central and the University of Dubuque (Iowa), has been named the new head coach of the Grayslake Central girls’ volleyball program. Basierak succeeds Jason Janczak, who stepped down at the end of last season after 13 seasons as head coach. Basierak played for Janczak from 2009-2011. Basierak...
IHSA delays decision on high school vs. club volleyball participation
Volleyball players statewide will have to wait another day to learn whether their participation in high school sports will not be jeopardized should they also compete in club events simultaneously. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) The IHSA Board of Directors decided Monday to put off a decision whether to allow student-athletes to compete for their high school volleyball teams while simultaneously participating in club and travel sports this spring and summer.Current IHSA eligibility rules state that students who choose to participate in non-school...
Sauer soars with big boys, Future wows, Adversity bows (out) at Palos Courts
Six-foot-8 setter Kyle Sauer (44) from Elgin Academy set for top-ranked SPVB 18 Elite on Saturday at Palos Courts, then came back on Sunday to set for SPVB 16 Elite. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) https://youtu.be/rOwva7ZaaDE Saturday, it was Kyle Sauer’s turn to keep the seat warm.Sports Performance B18 Elite, not-so-fresh off its 18 Open title at the 21 Dennis Lafata Boys Bid Classic a month ago, unveiled its third setter in as many events Saturday at Palos Courts when it borrowed 6-foot-8 sophomore Kyle Sauer (Elgin Academy) from its 16 ...
Fremd, Wheeling rebuild after key losses; St. Charles North banks on experience
St. Charles North coach Todd Weimer is counting on his team's experience to compete in the DuKane Conference and start a new streak of regional championships. Note: Although Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzer’s most recent “stay at home” order extended school closings until April 8, Illprepvb.com will continue to publish content relevant to the 2020 high school boys’ volleyball season in the hope that it will be resumed at some point this spring. School: Fremd Coach: Curt PinleyConference: Mid-Suburban WestLast season’s highlights: 18-13 over...
H-F stays red-hot by cooling off Knights; Carmel can’t quite pull off second ESCC stunner
Kyla Kenney (4) had 9 kills as Benet rallied from an 18-14 deficit in the second set to defeat Carmel, 25-20, 25-22, Tuesday in Lisle. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comAllison Faoro is listed as a defensive specialist on the Homewood-Flossmoor roster. But she's not.“I was a defensive specialist last year,” Faoro said. “But I transitioned to outside. I love hitting and I’ve done it before. So I figured it would be good to do again my senior year.” It certainly has been good for the Vikings.Faoro smashed a ...
150 reasons to watch boys' high school volleyball in the spring of 2021, Part II
Metea Valley's Chad Luckinbill (9) was a pivotal part of Sports Performance 16 Elite's highly successful club season and should help the Mustangs when they return to the court in the spring of 2021. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) The COVID-19 pandemic wiped out the 2020 boys’ high school season, shutting down what had promised to be a highly competitive and entertaining quest to crown the 29th champion since the IHSA began sanctioning high school volleyball tournaments in 1992.Although we regret that so many talented seniors were denied a be...
Norris City-Omaha-Enfield refuses to quit, outlasts Altamont
Norris City-Omaha-Enfield will make its second visit to Redbird Arena in four years after outlasting Altamont in a Class 1A supersectional at (Bridgeport) Red Hill. By Zachary RaineySpecial to Illprepvb.com There was no quit in Norris City-Omaha-Enfield.The Norris City-Omaha-Enfield Fighting Cardinals lived up to their name Friday, defeating the Altamont Lady Indians, 25-21, 25-27, 25-21, at the IHSA Class 1A supersectional at Bridgeport (Red Hill).“They didn’t quit,” said Norris City-Omaha-Enfield coach Jaclyn Melton. “They stepped up. We...
White's hot start fires Lions 15-1 past Adversity at GLR regional qualifier
Lions 15-1 defeated Adversity G15 Adidas, 25-18, 25-11, to win the 15 Girls division at the GLR Girls Regional Qualifier Sunday at the UNO Volleyball Club in Joliet. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) https://youtu.be/vFmlDefwjn8 Photos from Lions 15-1 vs. Adversity G15 Adidas championship match and Sky High Adidas 15 Black vs. Sky High Adidas 15-1 NS fifth-place semifinal. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil Brozynskifor Illprepvb.comWhat came over Ellie White?“Thank you,” was all the Lions 15-1 setter/outside hitter could say after her hot star...
Top-ranked Marist finds some help in the middle to defeat No. 4 Minooka
Minooka beat Loyola and Marist on its way to winning the Tiger Classic at Wheaton Warrenville South, but Marist returned the favor Tuesday in Chicago. (photos by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comThere's a middle ground for the Marist volleyball team, and that’s a good thing.Middle blockers Nyherowo Omene and Jake McClain came up big as the host RedHawks were in control the whole way Tuesday in a 25-20, 25-21 victory over Minooka.In its past three matches, all Marist (21-2) has done is defeat the two teams it lost to earl...
Lincoln-Way East stops Stagg; Downers Grove South ends Metea Valley’s run
Downers Grove South will meet No. 2 seed Neuqua Valley Friday at the Hinsdale South Sectional after defeating Metea Valley on Wednesday. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comWith the postseason here, the Lincoln-Way East boys volleyball team knows it's time to bring the energy.That's exactly what the defending IHSA champion Griffins did Wednesday. They came out swinging and went on to a 25-15, 25-20 victory over Stagg in the title match of the Lincoln-Way East Regional. It was the eighth regional championship...