Twins Devan (Left) and Chloe Barrett helped lead Illini Elite 16 Black to a second-place finish in the 16/15 Open division at last weekend’s 2026 Mizuno SPVB Presidents Day Challenge at the Great Lakes Volleyball Center in Aurora. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorChloe is eight minutes older.Devan is one inch taller.Chloe is a libero. Devan is on outside hitter.Together, the Barrett twins from tiny Athens, Illinois, helped lead Illini Elite 16 Black to a second-place finish in the 16/15 Open division at last weekend’s 2026 M...

SPVB B18 Elite won the 18/17 Boys division at the 2026 Mizuno SPVB Presidents Day Challenge on Sunday at the Great Lakes Volleyball Center in Aurora. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorInjuries. Illnesses. Absences. SPVB B18 Elite was reduced to a skeleton crew Sunday at the 2026 Mizuno SPVB Presidents Day Challenge at the Great Lakes Volleyball Center in Aurora. The hosts had only eight healthy bodies available to take the court against a Gold bracket field that featured the top seven 18s teams in Illinois.But eight was enough.Led by...

Sports Performance's young boys 18 Elite team is 35-11 heading into this weekend's President's Day Challenge at the Great Lakes Volleyball Center in Auirora. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe 18 Open division is the gold standard by which all boys club teams are measured. California teams have dominated the division, both on the USAV side and more recently the AAU side, winning 11 nationals championships since 2010.Illinois club teams during that span?Zero 18 Open national titles.There have been close calls. Last summer, SPVB B18 El...

Five-foot-10 outside hitter Leah Oehmke (55) of Plainfield South will lead 1st Alliance 18 Gold into the 18 & Under division at the 2026 Triple Crown NIT in Kansas City, Missouri, this weekend. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor550 teams. 7,000 players. 550 college coaches.The 2026 Triple Crown NIT at the Bartle Hall Convention Center in Kansas City, Missouri, draws teams from across the United States – from California to the west, the Gulf Coast to the south, the Carolinas to the east and everything in ...

630 Volleyball 18-1 established itself as a serious national championship contender with its win in Phoenix two weeks ago. (Photos courtesy of @RavenswoodUSA) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorTrust. Composure. Embracing the moment.How else do you explain going from 13th place in the 17 Open division at last summer’s AAU Boys National Volleyball Championships in Orlando to winning three consecutive tournament championships one year later, including the granddaddy of them all, the 2026 Mizuno Southwest Boys Classic in Phoenix?630 Volley...

Aubrey Fair (5) helped lead Bloomington Central Catholic ti a runner-up finish in the IHSA Class 2A tournament last fall. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe boys’ and girls’ club seasons are in full swing, and this week we continue our “Ultimate VBC/Illprepvb.com Player of the Week” series.The Ultimate VBC/Illprepvb.com Player of the Week recognizes those athletes whose performance on the court elevated their team through their exceptional play during a given week, often leading to significant victories or ...

Aubrey Martinez (35) leads 1st Alliance 17 Gold out of the huddle during their victory over 1st Alliance 17 Black in Power League play Sunday in Cicero. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorIn the celebrated words of ‘60s American rock legends Blues Magoos off their Psychedelic Lollipop debut album, “One day you're up, and the next day you're down.”Or in the case of Illini Elite 18 Cardinal, just the opposite.Twenty-four hours after losing 25-17, 25-18, to 1st Alliance 17 Gold in a Bracket A semifinal of the 17/18 Open division of the Windy...

Following a stellar career at Mt. Pulaski, legendary coach Donna Dille spent two years at (Downs) Tri-Valley and this past season at Blue Ridge before accepting the post at Decatur Unity Christian. DECATUR, IL – Unity Christian School of Decatur has named Illinois coaching legend Donna Dulle as the Lions’ new volleyball coach for the high school and junior high programs. “Unity Christian is blessed to have Donna Dulle as our next volleyball coach,” said Unity Christian athletic director Kurt Younghouse. “She brings a wealth of experienc...

Junior libero Ella Godeaux helped lead SPVB 18 Elite to a 4-0 record at last weekend's weather-shortened 26 Central Zone Invitational in Indianapolis (Photo by Dave Ruggles). By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor The boys’ and girls’ club seasons are in full swing, and this week we continue our “Ultimate VBC/Illprepvb.com Player of the Week” series. The Ultimate VBC/Illprepvb.com Player of the Week recognizes those athletes whose performance on the court elevated their team through their exceptional play during a given week, often...

Ultimate G18 Gold's Elena Kvasnicka (8) tries to split a pair of 1st Alliance 18 Black defenders in a quarterfinal match of the 18 Liberty division Monday in Schaumburg. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor1st Alliance18 Gold lost the war and the battle. Ultimate G18 Gold won despite losing. Club Fusion 18-1National won, then lost, then surrendered.And just about everyone at tournament central was anxious to go home and watch Indiana in the College Football Playoff National Championship game.That’s the kind of crazy...