Mother McAuley coach Jen DeJarld looks on as her team defeats Assumption (Louisville, Kentucky) to win the ASICS Challenge on Saturday. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorMother McAuley defeated Assumption (Louisville, Kentucky) for the second time in three days, 25-23, 25-17, to win the ASICS Challenge on Saturday.But it was the match prior to that most folks in the stands and on social media were talking about leading up to the tournament.That was the first of two and a possible three meetings between Mother McAu...

Minooka (far court) defeated Romeoville, 25-20, 26-24, in a Southwest Prairie Conference match Thursday in Romeoville. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.com  Benet Academy setter Maddie Bryant knows the kids are all right.Now they’re listening to her.“They are so resilient,” Bryant said. “I’ve been saying this all season – every point is a new opportunity, and I think we’re really starting to click with that and have that resilient mindset across the whole team.”Benet Academy’s young lineup demonstrated tha...

Tri-Valley's Annabelle Bischoff (left) had 9 kills and 4 blocks in a 25-16, 25-13 victory at El Paso-Gridley on Wednesday. Attempting to block for the hosts are Harper Deckard (5) and Jaida Reed (right). (Photo by Randy Sharer) By Randy SharerSpecial to Illprepvb.comEL PASO — (Downs) Tri-Valley has spent decades trying to break through to the IHSA state finals. After Wednesday’s 25-16, 25-13 win over El Paso-Gridley, the Vikings look capable of finally getting there.Tri-Valley, ranked No. 10 in Class 2A by Illprepvb.com, dominated in every ...

Summer Shaw (14) had 4 kills and 4 blocks for Marist on Tuesday in a 25-20, 25-21 victory over Benet Academy, a team the RedHawks had not beaten in the regular season since 2022. (File photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.com Coming off a grueling part of its schedule, which included a trip to a top national tournament in Las Vegas and a victory over Indiana's top-ranked team, Carroll, last Thursday, all the Marist volleyball team had to do on Tuesday was face Benet Academy in a rematch of the past two IHSA Class 4A...

Rochester's Peytpn Zeidler (center) broke the 1,000-kill mark for her career in a victory over Williamsville earlier this season. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor Last year, Rochester’s first in Class 2A after spending the previous 17 years in Class 3A, did not end exactly how the Rockets had hoped. Rochester was denied its first trip to Redbird Arena since the 2006 team advanced to the Class A quarterfinals by eventual Class 2A champion Columbia, 25-16, 25-22, in the supersectional at Vandalia.But there may be no denying th...

Niles West's libero/defensive specialist Maddie Pukal (5) endured nearly three years of treatment as a young child after being diagnosed with lymphoblastic leukemia. By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.com  Niles West’s Maddie Pukal is like a ray of sunshine on and off the court. The 5-foot-4 senior defensive specialist displays a warm disposition regardless of whether the Wolves are winning or losing. “She’s a great girl,” said Niles West coach Stacy Roth. “She’s nice, she’s kind, she’s a great teammate. “She always chee...

Monmouth-Roseville junior middle blocker/rightside hitter Mallory Corzatt said one of her favorite things about competing in livestock shows is the opportunity to get together with people from different states. By Randy SharerSpecial to Illprepvb.comMONMOUTH — By the time most high school athletes have finished practice and settled in for the evening, Mallory Corzatt is often just beginning another shift.The Monmouth-Roseville junior volleyball player heads home to a sheep farm about 12 miles south of Monmouth. There, buckets need carrying,...

Benet Acadmey's five seniors are (from left) Maddie Bryant, Sophia Hattas, Claire Weathersm Sophia Youssef and Katie Chvatal. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor Benet Academy’s Maddie Bryant has been around the block a few times during her time at the Lisle school. As a freshman, she was a reserve on team that reached the IHSA Class 4A finals before losing to Mother McAuley in the championship match. Last year as a junior, she medaled again with the Benet team that lost to Marist in the Class 4A finale. So she’s seen what it ta...

Belleville East's Paige Hill (3), who helped the Lancers go 4-1 last week including two wins in the Southwestern Conference, is this week's Ultimate VBC/Illprepvb.com Player of the Week. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorTrue gamechangers are defined by their ability to dominate at the net even when transitioning to a new position.Last week, Belleville East’s 5-9 outside hitter Paige Hill put on an absolute clinic on the court, racking up 32 kills, 14 digs, and 3 blocks while leading her team to two Southwestern Conference victories ...

Lincoln-Way East junior Kolby Ross had 10 kllls, but to no avail, as Lyons Township defeated the Griffins, 25-18, 25-18, in the championship match Saturday at the 2026 Wheaton Classic.(Photo by Dave Ruggles) https://youtu.be/274tFRpSrZc By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorIn the zone.Lyons Township was there all weekend.“I think everything was on for us … our serving, our serve receive ... our hitting was just spectacular,’ said Lyons 6-foot setter Colleen Chambers. “It seemed like every single one of my hitters got a kill every sing...