Michigan recruit Mira Chopra (far left) and her Champaign Central teammates ventured to Normal Thursday where they were handed their first loss of the season by unbeaten Normal Community. (Photo courtesy of News-Gazette) Normal Community's Mallory Oloffson (left) helped the undefeated Lady Iron top previously unbeaten Champaign Central, 25-14, 17-25, 25-20, at Normal. Looking to dig up a potential block by Brianna Becker (11) and Olivia Jackson (7) are Addison Boundy (3) and Sophia Feeney (1). (Photo by Randy Sharer). By Randy Sharer...
Seventh straight final four not out of question for Glenbard West; and more
Glenbard West and outside hitter Nicco Cavalcante (far right) are shooting for their seventh consecutive final four appearance in the IHSA tournament. (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: Glenbard WestConference: West Suburban SilverHead coach: Christine Giunta MayerLast season’s highlights: 37-4 overall,6-0 in conferenc...
Delaying girls’ high school volleyball until spring would be an “absolute disaster”
These 2019 graduates of Mother McAuley were able to complete their senior season. But what does the future hold for the teammates they leave behind? Stevenson High School officials announced last week that the Lincolnshire campus would essentially remain off limits to the school's nearly 4,400 students when the 2020-21 term begins August 17, likely for the entire first semester. Elgin-based School District U-46 announced that its 38,000-plus students will learn remotely during the first seven weeks of the upcoming school year, while Glen...
Jepsen leads Marist into the history books with victory over Glenbard West
Glenbard West's Ryan Swartz had 9 kills to lead the Hilltoppers past New Trier in a semifinal Saturday at Hoffman Estates. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) Marist's Marty Jepsen had 8 kills in a semifinal victory over Oak Park-River Forest. Move over, Superman. There’s a new sheriff in town.Marty Jepsen slammed 14 kills on 31 attempts without an error for a staggering .452 kill percentage to lead No. 1-ranked Marist to a 25-21, 25-23 victory over Glenbard West in the championship match of the 2019 IHSA boys’ volleyball tournament Saturday at H...
Waubonsie Valley prizes sectional title; Funk should be Titan-ic for El Paso-Gridley
Waubonsie Valley's (from left) Elenzie France, Melissa Walden and Gabi Croll headline what should be one of the best teams in all of Illinois. Illprepvb.com continues its coverage of the 2019 Illinois girls high school season with another set of team previews. School: BataviaConference: DuKaneHead coach: Lori Trippi-PayneLast season’s highlights: 14-22 overall, 3-4 in conference, finished fifth at the Maine West Pumpkin tournament, awarded the AVCA All-Academic All-American Award for the 22nd year in a row with a 3.84 cumulative team...
Updated: IHSA moves target date to May 1 for return of spring sports
Wheaton North coach John Noe IV is optimistic that the 2020 boys volleyball season can be saved despite the ongoing spread of the COVID-19 virus. Updated April 1, 2020 Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s most recent executive order called for schools to remain shuttered until April 30, and the Illinois High School Association released a statement Wednesday indicating that May 1 is the target date for the spring sports season to resume."Even though Illinois schools will remain closed through April 30 following the March 31 announcement by Illin...
Yorkville slows down, but can’t stop Nazareth at Fall Harvest Festival
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...