Illprepvb.com Crosstown Showdown champion Marist won its 43rd straight match Tuesday. By Randy Whalen Special to Illprepvb.com Marist just knows how to win. The top-ranked and defending Class 4A state champions demonstrated that again Tuesday. Facing another top opponent in a key conference clash, the visiting RedHawks dominated the third set and went onto a 25-19, 23-25, 25-13 victory over Marian Catholic in an East Suburban Catholic Conference matchup in Chicago Heights. It marked the 43rd straight match that Marist ...
Downers Grove South short on size; WW South a year older, deeper, better
Illprepvb.com continues its look at the 2019 boys' high school volleyball season with previews of Elgin, Downers Grove South, Highland Park. Joliet West, Maine East and Rolling Meadows. School: Elgin Conference: Upstate Eight Head coach: Andy LeGoff Last season’s highlights: 9-27, 1-8 in conference, lost to Fremd, 25-16, 25-11, in a regional quarterfinal. Top returnees: 5-10 senior outside/rightside hitter Damaryan Benton, 5-8 senior setter Joe Hoberg, 5-9 senior libero/defensive specialist David Quezada, 6-2 senior outside hitter Lu...
Addison Trail faces challenging season; Bremen, Belvidere Co-op on the rise
Illprepvb.com continues its look at the 2019 boys' high school volleyball season with previews of Addison Trail, Bremen, Belvidere, Lakes, St. Charles East and Warren. School: Addison Trail Conference: West Suburban Gold Head coach: Chad Grant Last season’s highlights: 26-11 overall, 5-1 in conference (conference champion), first place at Rolling Meadows Invite, first place at Willowbrook Invite, lost to Fremd, 16-25, 26-24, 25-18, in a regional final. Top returnees: 6-3 senior outside hitter Justin Werderitch (198 kills, 23 blocks),...
Brown, Heath pack punch for New Trier; Rams’ Brandt one of 11 returnees
Illprepvb.com continues its look at the 2019 boys' high school volleyball season with previews of Glenbard East, Grayslake North, Minooka, Naperville North and New Trier. School: Glenbard East Conference: Upstate Eight Head coach: Marci Maier Last season’s highlights: 20-18 overall, 8-2 in conference, lost to Lake Park, 25-14, 25-17, in a regional final. Top returnees: 6-5 senior opposite side hitter Carson Brandt (358 kills, 92 digs, 42 blocks in 2018), 6-4 senior middle blocker Cal Iwinski (94 kills, 88 blocks), 6-3 junior middle b...
Sterling could be golden; Iroquois West, Salem look for improvement
LaSalle-Peru, pictured here at the Great Lakes Summer League where it went 6-6, handed Sterling one of its three losses in 2017. School: Iroquois WestConference: Sangamon ValleyHead coach: Dakota BohlmannLast season’s highlights: 1-26 overall, 0-6 in conference, lost 25-15, 25-10 to Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley in a Class 2A regional quarterfinal.Top returnees: senior outside hitter Ashley Thomas, senior outside hitter Maddy Trammell, senior setter Jenny Medina, senior outside hitter Vanessa Andrade, senior middle hitter Ashley Aguilera, ...
Close not good enough for Hinsdale Central; St. Ignatius may need “fresh” help
Illprepvb.com continues its look at the 2019 boys' high school volleyball season with previews of Hinsdale Central (pictured above), Montini, Rockford East, St. Ignatius and Stagg. School: Hinsdale Central Conference: West Suburban Silver Head Coach: Stephanie Kaegebein Last season’s highlights: 29-11 overall, 4-2 in conference, lost to state runner-up Neuqua Valley, 25-17, 21-25, 25-21, in a sectional final. Top returnees: 6-6 senior outside hitter Cal Snyder (308 kills, 30 blocks in 2018, third-year varsity player, plays club for H...
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Cupboard not bare at Lincoln-Way East, but defending champs have holes to fill
Illprepvb.com continues its preview of the 2019 boys' high school volleyball season with a look at defending IHSA champion Lincoln-Way East. School: Lincoln-Way East Conference: Southwest Suburban Last season’s highlights: 39-3 overall, won eighth consecutive conference championship, extended its conference winning streak to 36 and 70 of the last 71, defeated Neuqua Valley, 20-25, 25-21, 25-22, to win IHSA tournament championship. Top returnees: 5-10 senior libero Danny Pacini (three-year starter, plays club for Ultimate 18 Gold, comm...
Barrington retools for another state run; Maine West hopes to build on success
Illprepvb.com continues its look at the 2019 boys' high school volleyball season with previews of Barrington (pictured above), Benet, Maine West and Sandburg. Illprepvb.com will continue to provide the best in boys volleyball coverage throughout the season. School: Barrington Conference: Mid-Suburban West Head coach: Rob Ridenour (14th season) Last season’s highlights: 34-6 overall, won Mid-Suburban League championship, won Glenbrook North Northside Classic, finished second at Vernon Hills invite, lost to Glenbard West, 25-12, 25-18, ...
Lake Park, Wheaton North hit hard by graduation; Rockford Boylan eyes history
Illprepvb.com continues its look at the 2019 boys' high school volleyball season with previews of Lake Park, Naperville Central, Rockford Boylan, West Aurora and Wheaton North. Illprepvb.com will continue to provide the best in boys volleyball coverage throughout the season. School: Lake Park Conference: DuKane Head coach: Brian Fischer Last season’s highlights: 32-6 overall, 7-1 in conference (first place), second place at the Wheaton Warrenville South Tiger Classic, third place t Glenbard East Springfest, first place at Downers Gr...