Crystal Lake Central's Maddy McCormick hits against the block of Marist's Ellie Kurpeikis (10) and Kamryn Chaney (9) during the championship match of the Fall Harvest Festival at Plainfield Central. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) Camryn Hannah took one look at Marist’s championship game opponent and knew the RedHawks were in for a fight.“That's something we identified during warm-ups,” said Marist’s 6-foot-2 outside hitter/setter. “They’re a big team. They were going to swing on us. So we knew we had to play defense, and I think that was somethi...
Lincoln-Way West reloads behind Vedder, Wegrzyn; Glenbard East growing, more
Lincoln-Way West libero Tyler Vedder, who could see time at outside hitter, is one of only two returning starters from last year's sectional semifinalist. (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: Downers Grove SouthConference: West Suburban GoldHead coach: Kurt Steuer (9th year) Last season’s highlights:...
Rosary getting ready for a new (2A) day; IC Prep reaches Silver at Tiger Classic
Jessica Gardella (17), Sarah Konovodoff (2), Paige Gardella (11) and their Rosary teammates hope to find success in the IHSA Class 2A tournament later this season. Rosary is among the schools that joined the exodus from Class 3A to 2A this season thanks to the IHSA’s new enrollment policy. But was it really that much of a blessing?Sure, Rosary will avoid perennial nemesis and Metro Suburban Conference foe St. Francis in the playoffs. Nazareth is out of the picture, too. “We’re excited about the opportunity to play in 2A this year...
McGuire, Benet erase big second-set deficit to top Minooka, win Scholastic Cup
Benet rallied from a 19-14 deficit in Game 2 to defeat Hailey Sperling (2) and Minooka in the championship match of the St. Charles East Scholastic Cup at the Great Lakes Volleyball Center in Aurora. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) No one expected Benet to blow past Minooka 25-9 in the first game of their championship match Saturday at the St. Charles East Scholastic Cup hosted by the Great Lakes Volleyball Center in Aurora.And likely no one expected Benet to find itself trailing 5-0, 10-5 and 19-14 in the second game. “I think the other team step...
Minooka stuns Lockport with late rally; Benet closes out Joliet Catholic
Lockport's Leena Ajibola (shown here earlier in the season against Plainfield North) had 7 kills for the Porters, but it wasn't enough as Minooka erased an 18-10 deficit in Game 2 to win the match in three sets. )Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comMinooka was down, but not out.For a set-and-two-thirds, Lockport had its way with the host Indians. It appeared that the Porters were well on the way to a breakthrough victory. Not so fast. The Indians regrouped and ended the last two sets with combined bursts...
Sandburg, Stefanon twins stop Nazareth at Illprepvb.com/Crimson Classic
Sandburg celebrates a point during its semifinal win over Minooka Saturday at the Illprepvb.com/Crimson Classic hosted by Plainfield North. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) Sandburg outside hitter Shelby Stefanon is not afraid to tell her setter when she’s feeling it.Especially since one of the setters in Sandburg’s 6-2 offense is her twin sister, Julia.“Sometimes she's like, ‘I'm feeling it. Get me the ball,’” Julia said“Yeah, yesterday it was like, ‘Set me more,’” Shelby replied. Julia knew just where she wanted to go with Sandburg clinging to ...
Shorthanded Michio Chicago 16 National hanging on until reinforcements arrive
Michio Chicago 16 National has yet to field its complete lineup this season, but hopes to have everyone back by the time it competes in the Mideast Qualifier in late March. https://youtu.be/YRzI_HfBbTw Michio Chicago 16 National’s bench is getting to be a very lonely place.But when the cavalry does arrive in a few weeks or so, the girls from the south side figure to be a force to be reckoned with.Last weekend in the Windy City Power League, Michio played without 5-9 setter Caroline Macander (concussion) from Mother McAuley, 5-7 defen...
1st Alliance 16 Black plays second fiddle to no one at the Windy City Power League
1st Alliance 16 Black has shown with its play on the court that it's a No. 2 team in name only. https://youtu.be/650uA-vrHT4 There are “No. 2” teams, and then there are “No. 2” teams that are really “No. 1s” in sheep’s clothing.Technically, 1st Alliance 16 Black may the Woodridge club’s “No. 2” 16s team, but you would have a hard time convincing anybody competing in the Windy City Power League 15&16 Open division.Saturday at the Sky High Volleyball Center in Crystal Lake, 1st Alliance 16 Black defeated UNO Girls 16 Elite (25-12, 2...
A difference-maker and class act, Jepsen is the 2019 Illprepvb.com Player of the Year
Marty Jepsen celebrates with his teammates after Marist won the 2019 IHSA Boys Volleyball championship. (Photo courtesy of Joe Hovanes) 2019 Illprepvb.com Player of the Year Marty Jepsen of Marist. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comMarist had just edged Glenbard West 25-21, 25-23 in a hard-fought IHSA championship match. The two teams congratulated each other after they received their medals.As the Marist players shook hands with her and her team, Glenbard West coach Christine Giunta-Mayer took time to give o...
Benet avenges last year’s loss to Huntley in Autumnfest championship match
Huntley defeated Mother McAuley in the semifinals of Autumnfest, avenging an earlier loss to the Mighty Macs at the Asics Challenge. (Photo by Dave Ruggles). By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comBenet’s masterful season continues. The undefeated Redwings, ranked No. 1 in Class 4A by Illprepvb.com, rarely let up and defeated No. 10 Huntley, 25-11, 25-21, in the title match of the Autumnfest tournament Saturday at Glenbard East in Lombard. Sophie Gregus led a balanced attack for Benet (34-0) with 6 kills, junior setter and tournament m...