Marty Jepsen leads favored Marist into this weekend's IHSA boys volleyball tournament at Hoffman Estates. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) Oak Park setter Sean Califf. Momentum.Volleyball is a game of momentum. How else would you explain some of the IHSA tournament sectional results? Marist dominated defending IHSA champion and No. 2 seed Lincoln-Way East, which seemed to have found its footing toward the latter half of the season, in Tuesday's sectional final at Marist. Barrington defeated a pair of sub-sectional No. 1 seeds -- Boylan Catholic ...
Illinois Volleyball Coaches Association seeks board members amid restart
The restart of the Illinois Volleyball Coaches Association is underway, and the group is looking for members to serve on its regional board and get involved in the revitalization of the organization. (Photo courtesy of The News-Gazette) The Illinois Volleyball Coaches Association is excited to announce the official restart of the organization. Illinois is one of the top states in the nation for men’s and women’s volleyball, and the organization is looking forward to growing the game.The IVCA is seeking to develop its regional board to...
Barrington loaded for another run; St. Francis is mature, focused … and more
Barrington plans to take advantage of Ben Ridgway's (7) versatility as it seeks its third consecutive IHSA quarterfinal berth. (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: BarringtonConference: Mid-Suburban WestHead coach: Rob Ridenour (15th season)Last season’s highlights: 29-11 overall, 9-1 in conference (conference co-champ...
Meyer, Burau to power WW South; Fremd, Hersey on MSL collision course?
Wheaton Warrenville South and its two outstanding setters -- Zayna Meyer and Sarah Burau -- have more hardware (and photo posing) on their minds in 2019. Illprepvb.com continues its coverage of the 2019 Illinois girls high school season with another set of team previews. School: Buffalo GroveConference: Mid-Suburban EastHead coach: Matt PribanLast season’s highlights: 21-12 overall, 9-1 in conference (Mid-Suburban East co-champions), lost to Hersey, 25-18, 25-23, in a Class 4A regional championship. Top returnees: 6-0 ju...
No. 23 Sandburg holds ‘Cort’ at Lockport to remain in contention for SWSC title
Sandburg's Cort Jensen (right, pictured earlier this season) had 11 kills to help the Eagles avenge last season's IHSA regional championship match loss. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.com Sandburg held Cort. Cort Jensen put down a match-high 11 kills, including the match-winner, as Sandburg returned to the gym where its season ended last year.This time, Sandburg made sure there was a different result, defeating the host Porters, 25-23, 25-23, in a Southwest Suburban Conference match Wednesday at the Lockpo...
Illprepvb.com presents the 20 All-Time Best Illinois Girls Volleyball Teams, Nos. 11-15
Benet won the school's fourth Class 4A championship in 2019, avenging its only loss - at defending state champion Marist -- in the semifinals, and defeating Wheaton Warrenville South in the championship match. (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 Gir...
Maine West building on record season; Lake Park regional streak at 11, and more
Josh Schellinger (11), Luke Nelson (5) and Andrew Deardorff (14) all return for perennial contender Lake Park, which has won 11 consecutive regional titles. (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: Lake ParkConference: DuKaneHead coach: Brian FischerLast season’s highlights: 25-12 overall, 4-2 in conference, finis...
Way-too-early look at some of the best girls’ volleyball players in Classes 1A-4A
There are hundreds of extremely talented girls' volleyball players in Illinois, but here is a place to start when listing some of the best of the best. More food for thought...The 2019 Illinois high school girls volleyball season doesn’t officially kick off until the first day of practice on August 12, but it’s never too early to list some of the best players in each class. Here is an early look at some of the best girls in Classes 1A-4A who you should hear -- and read -- a lot about this season. Plainfield Central's Taylor Landfair. ...
LaSalle-Peru’s Haberkorn chasing history, Olson chasing elusive super berth
LaSalle-Peru has been one of the state's best Class 3A volleyball programs during Mark Haberkorn's 29 years at the helm and looks to continue that success in 2019. LaSalle-Peru's (from left) Kamryn Olson, Anna Quesse and Arika Richardson. A few years ago, someone asked LaSalle-Peru’s Mark Haberkorn when he was going to retire from coaching. Now they ask him if he’s going to stick around until he picks up win No. 1,000. “It’s funny,” he said. “You win 900, and all of a sudden the conversation switches.” Haberkorn, 68, who retired from tea...
High school, club, or both? The IHSA board is expected to decide Monday
Girls may have to choose between playing high school or club volleyball this spring if the IHSA Board of Directors upholds current eligibility restrictions. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) The IHSA Board of Directors is expected to decide at its Monday, August 24 meeting whether to allow student-athletes to compete for their high school teams while simultaneously participating in club and travel sports.Current IHSA eligibility rules state that students who choose to participate in non-school sports during a sport season will not be eligible to ...