Libero Gillian Grimes and her Nazareth teammates punched their ticket into the Gold bracket by winning their first two matches at the Plainfield Central Fall Harvest Festival sponsored by Illprepvb.com. (Photos by Dave Ruggles). The English-language pangram, “The quick brown fox jumps over a lazy dog,” certainly did not apply to Nazareth’s second-round match against Yorkville Friday in a Plainfield Central Fall Harvest Festival Pool E finale at Plainfield North. “That was not the pace we’re used to,” said Nazareth setter/rightside hitter E...
Edwardsville putting the fun back into its game at St. Charles East Scholastic Cup
Edwardsville defeated Hinsdale Central and Neuqua Valley on Friday to advance to Gold Pool B at the St. Charles East Scholastic Cup tournament hosted by the Great Lakes Volleyball Center in Aurora. Edwardsville is putting a new emphasis on having fun.After all, you don’t drive 248 miles to have a bad time.Friday at the St. Charles East Scholastic Cup tournament hosted by the Great Lakes Volleyball Center in Aurora, the Tigers defeated Hinsdale Central, 25-20, 25-17, and Neuqua Valley, 28-26, 25-19, to advance to Gold Pool B Saturday wher...
What next? Clubs preparing to fill the void … if the unthinkable happens
Several clubs throughout Illinois either plan to or have already begun offering training for their athletes in the wake of the cancellation of the USA Volleyball National Championship and the stark possibility that the girls' fall high school season may be cancelled or postponed until the spring. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) The IHSA took a baby step late last week regarding the resumption of sports-related activities, allowing schools to open for voluntary strength and conditioning sessions provided they meet certain restrictions and the ac...
Former U.S. national team star’s turbulent journey takes unexpected turn
Ex-professional football player Nick Tow-Arnett accompanied his wife when she played volleyball overseas. Jessica Tow-Arnett is now the head volleyball coach at Southwest Christian High School in Minnesota. By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.comJessica Tow-Arnett swam in the Caspian Sea, walked the beaches of the Persian Gulf and shared the gospel with people in several Muslim countries during a decade-long career as a professional volleyball player. The former Neuqua Valley star, who was known as Jessica Jones before she married forme...
Macomb joins crowded 2A field; Hononegah needs no introductions; Roosevelt rising
Macomb has a lot of fresh faces in the lineup this season, including a freshman and two juniors at the pins. This is another in a series of team previews as Illprepvb.com looks at the 2019 Illinois girls high school season.School: Macomb Conference: West CentralHead coach: Briana RexroatLast season’s highlights: 25-12 overall, 5-3 in conference, lost to Quincy Notre Dame, 25-15, 25-14, in a Class 3A regional championship.Top returnees: 5-4 sophomore setter Avery Rexroat, 5-4 senior libero Maggie Valillo, 5-7 junior middle hitter Lael McKee....
Plainfield North shocks No. 3 Belleville Althoff to win Crossroads Classic
Ariel Amaya (13) and her Plainfield North teammates defeated Breese Mater Dei, Breese Central and Belleville Althoff to win the Crossroads Classic Saturday in Effingham, (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Zach RaineySpecial to Illprepvb.com Surprise. The Plainfield North Tigers, not even seeded among the top eight teams, defeated Illprepvb.com No. 3 (4A) ranked Belleville Althoff, 25-23, 25-22, to win the 28th Annual Crossroads Classic Volleyball Tournament Saturday in Effingham.The road was not an easy one however, as the Tigers had to defeat ...
Papes powers ‘underrated’ Providence past Andrew in potential Smack Attack preview
Michael "Ike" Papes of Providence (No. 99 shown here playing for UNO Boys 18 Elite during the Winter Volleyball Championships at McCormick Place in January) had 10 kills in the Celtics' win over Andrew. (photo by Dave Ruggles). By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comDon't sleep on the Celtics.Ike Papes pounded a match-high 10 kills and added 10 digs and 2 aces as Providence pulled away down the stretch in both sets to defeat Andrew, 25-22, 25-22, in a southside clash between up-and-coming programs Tuesday in New Lenox.With the victory, the...
Andrew, Haggerty are getting accustomed to having to prove themselves
Andrew is on the verge of 20 wins for the first time since 2012. Andrew's four-year starting outside hitter Bri Haggerty. By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comBri Haggerty has been a four-year varsity leader for Andrew volleyball. The outside hitter only played the first set Thursday. But that was fine with her. Haggerty still led the way with 9 kills and 6 digs as Andrew toppled District 230 rival Stagg, 25-16, 25-17, in a Southwest Suburban Conference Red Division match Thursday in Tinley Park. Haggerty was one of ...
Knights bring about the fall of the Romans, Tortorello at Niles West invite
Latin, last year's Class 3A fourth-place finisher, has a lot of new faces and a new coach, and a junior setter who is certain to draw a lot of interest from college coaches. Charlotte Cronister. 150 kills. 400 digs. Graduated. Moved on to Northwestern.Kelsey Watkins. 150 kills, 60 blocks. 50 aces. Graduated. Moved on to Furman. Julia Kinder. 230 kills. 100 digs. Graduated. Bryn Kehoe. Married. Left after a two-year stint as head coach.This is not the same Latin team that defeated St. Francis, 25-18, 25-18, in a supersectional last fall...
Lemont, Shepard look ahead after Indians wrap up home schedule with a victory
Lemont junior Amanda Rice (12) had 8 kills to help her senior teammates win their home finale Thursday. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Lemont's Amy Schwem. By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comDuring the second set of Thursday night’s showdown between Lemont and Shepard, Lemont setter Amy Schwem's poster picture from the Senior Night festivities fell off the wall.That was about the only thing that went wrong for the Indians.Lemont defeated Shepard, 25-14, 25-14, in a South Suburban Conference crossover match between the two teams that had a...