Illprepvb.com continues its look at the 2019 boys' high school volleyball season with previews of Carmel, Fenwick, Grayslake Central, Libertyville and St. Charles North. School: Carmel Conference: East Suburban Catholic Head coach: Kevin Nylen (12th season) Last season’s highlights: 22-12 overall, 5-3 in conference, defeated Stevenson, 21-25, 25-22, 25-22, in regional final, lost to Barrington, 25-20, 25-19, in a sectional semifinal. Top returnees: 6-7 senior outside hitter Mike Scott (154 Kills, .414 hitting efficiency, 37 blocks as...
Oak Park-River Forest poised for run; Northtown, R-B debut in new leagues
Illprepvb.com continues its look at the 2019 boys' high school volleyball season with previews of Argo, CSIS Northtown Academy, Lemont, Metea Valley, Oak Park-River Forest and Riverside-Brookfield. School: Argo Conference: South Suburban Head coach: Ryan Skendzel Last season’s highlights: 13-13-3 overall, 4-6 in conference, lost to Wheaton Warrenville South, 25-18, 25-13, in a regional quarterfinal. Top returnees: 5-9 junior outside hitter Cincere Colbert (131 kills, 117 digs), 6-1 senior middle hitter Guillermo Robles (38 kills, 25 ...
Herscher drops down; South County, Indian Creek, Flanagan looking up
The Herscher Tigers dropped down to Class 2A this fall, which could mean trouble for other area small schools. School: Flanagan-CornellConference: Heart of IllinoisHead coach: Joe Estes Last season’s highlights: 17-14 overall, 8-7 in conference, won third consecutive regional title, lost 20-25, 25-22, 25-21 to Lexington in a Class 1A sectional semifinal.Top returnees: 5-8 junior outside hitter Regan Reed (145 kills, 256 kills), 5-11 junior middle blocker Kayla VanWeelden (132 kills).Coach’s quote: “We’re optimistic. We play in a tough c...
Lincoln-Way West ready to finish the job; Deerfield, Vernon Hills set to contend
(photos by Dave Ruggles) Illprepvb.com continues its look at the 2019 boys' high school volleyball season with previews of Back of the Yards College Prep, Deerfield, Lincoln-Way West, South Elgin and Vernon Hills. School: Back of the Yards College Prep Conference: Chicago Public League Green South Head coach: Katherine Wu Last season’s highlights: 12-7 overall, 9-0 and conference champions in the Blue North, lost to Cristo Rey Jesuit, 25-19, 23-25, 25-23, in a regional quarterfinal. Top returnees: 6-0 senior middle hitter Daming Mei, ...
Kushner, Naperville North hold off West Aurora in three sets … again
West Aurora was just a few points from handing Naperville North only its second loss this season Thursday. Naperville North's 5-foot-10 senior outside hitter Sarah Kushner and her younger sister, 5-6 freshman Ashley, a defensive specialist for the varsity Huskies, will have a lot to talk about on the way home tonight.“I drive her home,” Sarah said. “So we talk about … we either say, ‘You did really bad or you did pretty good.’ We can be pretty honest with each other.”The sisters should have a lot of nice things to say to each other foll...
Saints (Francis, Rita) be praised; can Wheeling, Buffalo Grove contend in MSL East?
Illprepvb.com continues its look at the 2019 boys' high school volleyball season with previews of Buffalo Grove, Glenbard North, St. Francis, St. Rita and Wheeling. School: Buffalo Grove Conference: Mid-Suburban East Head coach: Tim Kosiek Last season’s highlights: 15-22, overall, 7-3 in conference (second place), lost to Loyola, 25-22, 25-14, in a regional semifinal. Top returnees: senior outside hitter Ethan Soifer (all-conference), senior outside hitter Marty Gross, senior setter Tommy Gross, junior setter Kyle Orton, senior middl...
Glenbard West eyes fourth title in five years; Oswego East is young, restless
Illprepvb.com continues its look at the 2019 boys' high school volleyball season with previews of Glenbard West, Glenbrook South, Hinsdale South, Leyden and Oswego East School: Glenbard West Conference: West Suburban Silver Head coach: Christine Giunta-Mayer Last season’s highlights: 38-4 overall, 6-0 in conference (fifth consecutive conference championship), lost to Neuqua Valley, 24-26, 25-22, 25-20, in an IHSA quarterfinal, defeated New Trier, 25-15, 25-22, in the third-place match. Top returnees: 6-1 senior outside hitter Ryan S...
Marist extends win streak to 43, takes down Marian Catholic again
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),...