Benet Academy libero Aniya Warren is widely considered one of the best in the business, not only in Illinois, but nationally. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorAnother tournament. Another MVP award for Benet Academy libero Aniya Warren.Coming off a junior year when she was named the MVP at the Wheaton Classic, the St. Charles East Scholastic Cup and Autumnfest at Glenbard East, Warren added another MVP award to her collection after leading the Redwings to the championship of last weekend’s Wheaton Classic....
Volleyball, basketball, softball, classroom: Oak Lawn’s Kaitlyn Berkery excels at all
Oak Lawn's Kaitlyn Berkery (lower right) and her teammates celebrate a point during a recent win. By the end of the school year, Berkery will have earned 12 varsity letters. Oak Lawn will host the Spartan Classic this weekend. Oak Lawn's Kaitlyn Berkery By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.com Oak Lawn senior outside hitter Kaitlyn Berkery estimated she stopped growing during her sophomore year.Yet her athleticism – and determination – continues to expand.The 5-foot-5 Berkery is a rarity – an average-sized player at a position pop...
Carl Sandburg tabs Madisen Babich to lead the school’s boys volleyball program
Former Lyons Township and Cal State-Fullerton standout (far right) and current Downers Grove South girls volleyball head coach Madisen Babich has been named the new boys volleyball coach at Carl Sandburg. Madisen Babich Former Lyons Township and Cal State-Fullerton standout and current Downers Grove South girls volleyball coach Madisen Babich has been named the new head boys volleyball coach at Carl Sandburg High School in Orland Park.Babich succeeds long-time boys coach David Vales, who recently successfully completed his second battle...
Benet betters L-W East at Wheaton; St. Laurence tops L-W West at Oak Lawn
Benet Academy junior Brooklynne Brass (5) had 10 kills to lead the Redwings past Lincoln-Way East, 25-16, 25-10, to win the Wheaton Classic. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) https://youtu.be/2YaHAPF-qYk By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorSometimes all you need is a little push.Then that little push turns into a mighty shove.Benet Academy’s 6-1 junior setter Ellie Stiernagle provided that push. Her 4-0 service run, which included back-to-back aces sandwiched around a Lincoln-Way East timeout, turned a 12-11 lead in the first set into a 16-11...
U-High’s Levyn Snow is the Ultimate VBC/Illprepvb.com Player of the Week
Normal U-High's 5-10 outside hitter Levyn Snow (5) was named the MVP at the Crossroads Classic hosted by Effingham. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorWhen it rains, it pours.And when it Snows, Normal U-High wins.Normal U-High’s 5-10 senior outside hitter Levyn Snow recorded 48 kills this weekend at the Crossroads Classic to lead the Pioneers to the tournament championship. She also had 4 aces, 8 blocks and 36 digs. Normal U-High's Levyn Snow Levyn Snow was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament, and is this week’s...
Super sophomores Lamberti, Williamson lead young Limestone past Washington
Washington's 6-foot-2 sophomore Carly Dawson (9) had a team-high 5 kills in Tuesday's 25-22, 25-22 home loss to No. 6 Bartonville Limestone. (Photo by Randy Sharer) By Randy SharerSpecial to Illprepvb.comWASHINGTON – Playing like veterans helped Bartonville Limestone High School’s young volleyball team hold off host Washington, 25-22, 25-22, on Tuesday.The Rockets, who split two matches with Washington last season, were led by 6-foot super sophomores Mia Lamberti and Bryn Williamson, both skilled setters who can also hit.Lamberti swatted 1...
Joliet West weathers the storm, survives the battle of the two Tigers in Plainfield
Joliet West junior middle hitter Mady Gant tries to go over the block of Ava Manfreedi during Thursday's victory in Plainfield. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorGrowing pains.Most coaches expect those after graduating nine seniors from a team that reached the supersectional not once, but twice over the last two years.So, it’s undoubtedly a bonus when you can experience those pains, and still remain unbeaten.Joliet West, which features a roster that includes a freshman, two sophomores, eight juniors and only one ...
No rest for the weary: Lockport awakens in time to bid Downers South goodnight
Lockport improved to 13-2 overall with its 11th consecutive win, a 24-26, 25-19, 25-16 victory over Downers Grove South in the championship match of the Andrew invite. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorEight games in five days.Hope somebody remembered to put blankets and pillows on the team bus.“It was a long week,” said Lockport coach Nick Mraz. “You could tell they were gassed at the end of the third match last night. It really takes a toll on you.”Even 6-2 middle hitter Jenna Kolosta, who only plays three rotations across the net,...
Loyola’s Grace Kreutz is the Ultimate VBC/Illprepvb.com Player of the Week
Grace Kreutz had 10 kills to lead Loyola Academy to a 25-21, 25-17 victory over Lincoln-Way East in Saturday's championship match of the 2024 Mizuno Crimson Classic. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorLast weekend was an opportunity for every girls’ high school volleyball fan in Illinois to get reacquainted with Loyola Academy’s 5-11 outside hitter Grace Kreutz.Kreutz, who helped to lead the Ramblers to an IHSA Class 4A supersectional appearance as a sophomore, suffered a devastating knee injury that force ...
Pushing each other in practice helps St. Ignatius push past Providence Catholic
St. Ignatius junior Marin Thaxton (6) said that a little friendly competition in practice is making the Wolfpack better when they take the court against other teams. (File photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comA little inner competition has made the St. Ignatius girls' volleyball team even better.That showed on Tuesday evening in the Wolfpacks’ early season Girls Catholic Athletic Conference crossover showdown against Providence. Junior outside hitter Marin Thaxton ended both sets with kills as St. Ignatius slip...