Mother McAuley set to chase title No. 18; Metamora is starting over; and more

Carly Whitaker (left) and the Morton Potters plan to get stronger as the season wears on and make another run at Redbird Arenal, (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe 2024 girls high school volleyball season got underway last week with the start of practice/tryouts, and Illprepvb.com continues its annual series of previews of the teams, players and coaches whose ultimate goal is a trip to Redbird (now CEFCU) Arena on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal.So, here is (almost) everything you need to kno...

Niepagen, Saints surprise Williamsville; Benet stymies Oak Park-River Forest

Setter Lauren O'Brien (9) led No. 10-ranked Bloomington Central Catholic to a 25-12, 25-21 victory over No. 3 Williamsville on Tuesday in Bloomington. (Photo by Randy Sharer) By Randy SharerSpecial to Illprepvb.comBLOOMINGTON – The Williamsville High School volleyball team had the will, but not the height to avoid a 25-12, 25-21 loss at Bloomington Central Catholic on Tuesday.The showdown between Class 2A powers saw the visiting Bullets come in ranked No. 3 by Illprepvb.com compared to the host Saints at No. 10.Central Catholic – with 6...

‘Relaxed’ Stephens wants one more shot; previewing Normal West, WW South; more

Wheaton Warrenville South coach Bill Schreier has the pieces. Now it's just a matter of putting them together. (Cover photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe 2024 girls high school volleyball season got underway last week with the start of practice/tryouts, and today Illprepvb.com concludes its annual series of previews of the teams, players and coaches whose ultimate goal is a trip to Redbird (now CEFCU) Arena on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal.So, here is (almost) everything you need to know about...

Benet, St. Ignatius seek Redbird redux; Massac Co. eyes another River run; more

St. Ignatius may have been a surprise IHSA Clas 3A semifinalist in 2023, but it would not shock anyone to see the Wolfpack feasting in Normal again this fall. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor The 2024 girls high school volleyball season got underway last Monday with the start of practice/tryouts, and Illprepvb.com continues its annual series of previews of the teams, players and coaches whose ultimate goal is a trip to Redbird (now CEFCU) Arena on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal. So, here is (almost) every...

Kreutz, Loyola do the ‘unexpected;’ Mother McAuley? It’s business as usual

Loyola Academy middle hitter Ellen Gundlach (12) earned Sports Performance VBC/Illprepvb.com All-Tournament honors after helping to lead the Ramblers to the championship of the Mizuno Crimson Classic hosted by Plainfield North and contested at the Great Lakes Volleyball Center in Aurora. (photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor“It’s good to be back,” said Loyola Academy’s Grace Kreutz.Kreutz, who had not played for Loyola since tearing an ACL after a sophomore season that saw her lead the Ramblers to an IHSA Class 4A...

Can Barrington’s new cast make it four in a row? Oswego pins hopes on Hamaker

Sidney Hamaker's 392 kills helped to lead Oswego to its first regional title since 2011 and only the fourth in program history. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor The 2024 girls high school volleyball season got underway last Monday with the start of practice/tryouts, and Illprepvb.com continues its annual series of previews of the teams, players and coaches whose ultimate goal is a trip to Redbird (now CEFCU) Arena on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal. So, here is (almost) everything you ne...

Can Limestone, Glenwood challenge St. Francis’ dominance in Class 3A? More …

An all-too familiar sight at Redbird Arena. St, Francis celebrated its second Class 3A championship in two years last fall, and is going for its third three-peat since 2002 this season. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe 2024 girls high school volleyball season got underway last week Monday with the start of practice/tryouts, and Illprepvb.com continues its annual series of previews of the teams, players and coaches whose ultimate goal is a trip to Redbird (now CEFCU) Arena on the campus of Illinois State Uni...

Last season’s heartbreak fuels Nokomis; Gavin’s wait finally over at Fremd; more

Lockport's 6-2 sophomore Kyla Mitchell returns after a freshman season that saw her post 157 kills and 78 blocks. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe 2024 girls high school volleyball season got underway Monday with the start of practice/tryouts, and Illprepvb.com continues its annual series of previews of the teams, players and coaches whose ultimate goal is a trip to Redbird (now CEFCU) Arena on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal.So, here is (almost) everything you need to know about some o...

Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com present the Best of the Girls’ H.S. Class of 2027

As a freshman, Mother McAuley setter Peyton Heatherly (22, far left) was instrumental in leading the Mighty Macs to the IHSA Class 4A chamionship last fall. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorContinuing with our series presenting the top girls high school players throughout Illinois, today we present the best of the Class of 2027. The list is headed by Mother McAuley’s 5-11 setter Peyton Heatherly, who had more than 700 assists last fall to lead Mother McAuley to the IHSA Class 4A championship, and Mia Lamb...

Normal U-High, Snows hope for better sledding; depth key for L-W East; more

Lemont senior setter April Rice (7) is one of only two starters back for Lemont in 2024. On the home page is Normal U-High's Laney Snow. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe 2024 girls high school volleyball season got underway Monday with the start of practice/tryouts, and Illprepvb.com continues its annual series of previews of the teams, players and coaches whose ultimate goal is a trip to Redbird (now CEFCU) Arena on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal.So, here is (almost) everything you need t...