Hannah Baudin stepped in at setter for Prairie Ridge last fall when Jayden Otto was injured. Baudin and Trinity Sheridan will be asked to shoulder a bigger load this fall with the graduation of four starters off last year's fourth-place Class 4A finisher. (Photo by Dave Ruggles). Illprepvb.com continues its coverage of the 2019 Illinois girls high school season with another set of team previews. School: Elgin Conference: Upstate 8Head coach: Amy Zapata Last season’s highlights: 16-18 overall, 3-6 in conference, won Westminster ...
The Future is ‘wow’ in the 16s division at the Asics Boys Summer Challenge
Future 16 Elite defeated Ultimate B16 Gold in the championship match of the Asics Boys Summer Challenge 16 division Sunday in Mokena. By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comThe Future is now.With a healthy lineup, Future 16 Elite captured the championship of the Asics Boys Summer Challenge on Sunday at the Velocity Training Center in Mokena with a dominating 25-14, 25-22 victory over Ultimate B 16 Gold. “I’d say it was a pretty good day for us,” said Future coach Kate Wright. “We’ve got all our starters back on the court, a...
Marist, Jedry hold serve at home, hold off Notre Dame Academy (Kentucky)
Marist defeated Notre Dame Academy Thursday in the teams' annual match preceding the Asics Challenge this weekend at Mother McAuley. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Marist libero Mairead Boyle. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.com Avery Jedry has never experienced a loss on her home court. The Marist outside hitter made certain that she and her teammates didn't experience the feeling Thursday night. Jedry put down the final 2 kills as Marist survived a slugfest and defeated Notre Dame Academy (Park Hills, Kentucky...
50 (more or less) more reasons to watch Illinois high school girls’ volleyball in 2019
Joliet Catholic's Jillian Gray (4) and Pleasant Plains' Anna Kanilakan (18) are just two more reasons to watch Illinois high school girls' volleyball in 2019. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) Today, Illprepvb.com lists 50 (give or take) more reasons to watch girls’ volleyball in 2019.Hope Allen, 5-9, Sr., OH, Chillicothe IVCLily Barry, 5-8, Fr., OH, Normal U-HighFrankie Bertucci, 5-4, Jr., L, De La SalleMaddie Blake, 6-0, Sr., OH, Crystal Lake CentralKat Blasé, 6-0, Jr., OH, CharlestonNicole Boelens, 5-7, So., OH, PoloChloe Britton, 5-9, Jr., OH, L...
Chicago Christian’s Grevengoed sisters get the better of their dad … again.
Chicago Christian improved to 6-1 with its straight-set win over Richards on Wednesday. Richards coach Troy Grevengoed flanked by his daughters, Chicago Christian's Delanie (left) and Logan (right). By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comDaughter still knows best.For the second time in a five-day span, the Grevengoed sister combo of sophomore middle hitter Logan and freshman rightside/outside hitter Delanie got bragging rights over their dad. That's because Chicago Christian went down the road Wednesday and toppled Richards, 25-17, 25-2...
Stagg, Lincoln-Way East advance; Bolingbrook gets Neuqua after upsetting Downers North
Bolingbrook junior setter Paolo Mondini had 31 assists in the No. 10-seeded Raiders' 25-20, 22-25, 25-22 win over No. 7 seed Downers Grove North Tuesday in Bolingbrook. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comMike Kazanecki loves pressure situations.The Stagg outside hitter was at his best Tuesday against Oak Forest. Now he will get another shot against the defending state champions.Kazanecki clubbed a match-high 10 kills and added 6 digs and 3 aces as Stagg defeated Oak Forest, 25-20, 25-19, in the second semifinal...
101 reasons to watch Illinois high school girls’ volleyball in 2019
Today, Illprepvb.com lists 101 reasons to watch Illinois girls high school volleyball in 2019, including Grayville's Sydney Foster (home page) and Huntley setter Taylor Jakubowski (12). Here are 101 players who Illprepvb.com believes should be on everybody’s “must-see” list during the 2019 girls high school season. Brooke Amann, 5-11, Sr., OH, Woodstock NorthKaileigh Ammons, 6-2, Sr., MB, Wheaton Warrenville SouthGrace Asleson, 5-9, Sr., S, Lyons Maddie Arundel, 5-9, Sr., OH, MaristGigi Barr, 6-1, Jr., MH/OH, YorkKendra Battle, 6-1, Sr....
Fremd shakes off rocky start to season, wins Peggy Scholten Classic
Fremd defeated St. Charles East and Joliet West Saturday to win the Peggy Scholten Classic, named for the former Conant girls volleyball coach who won 656 matches during her 37-year career and is now happily retired and attending to her five grandchildren -- all boys. Fremd hit a little bump in the road after grabbing an early 9-4 lead against Joliet West in Game 1 of the championship match at the Peggy Scholten Classic Saturday in Palatine.Before coach Curt Pinley could yell, “Out,” his team found itself trailing the Tigers 14-10. &...
No. 4 Lincoln-Way West gets ‘Loud,’ wins thriller over No. 3 Marist
Lincoln-Way West's Chris Dargan had 4 kills Thursday in the Warriors' win over Marist. (photos by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comGet “Loud.”Louden Moran capped off an exhilarating match with a kill and an ace as No. 4 Lincoln-Way West outlasted No. 3 Marist, 20-25, 25-18, 30-28, in a battle of top-ranked teams Thursday in New Lenox.It was the third win in four days for the Warriors (16-1), who avenged their only loss of the season. Marist (14-2) had a trio of match-point opportunities, but couldn't complete the third ...
Metea Valley, Naperville Central live to fight another day at Waubonsie Valley
(Photos by Dave Ruggles) Naperville Central, which had beaten Waubonsie Valley 25-22, 25-11 less than a week ago, probably expected more of the same in both teams’ IHSA regional opener Monday in Aurora. More of the same is not what the Redhawks got, however. “That was too tight for our liking,” said Naperville Central’s 6-foot-2 junior outside hitter Carter Stenmark. Naperville Central (23-13) squandered a 10-6 lead in Game 1 and a 12-7 lead in Game 3, but held on to defeat Waubonsie Valley for the third time this season, 23-25...