Wheaton North's Ben Boyce (10) attempts to hit over the block of Stevenson's Jatin Murukiti (2) and Dulguun Ankhbayar (8) in the championship match at Joliet West. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) https://youtu.be/lTjiG1Pmi7A By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.com Defending IHSA champion Marist entered this season with 10 seniors. So the RedHawks know if they want to repeat, they will have to get big contributions from all of them. That's what they got on Saturday as libero Rorey Donnelly was named tournament MVP. Donnel...
Notre Dame keeps its emotions on an even keel in taking down Maine South
Note Dame features (from left) Carmen Meccia, Cormaic Greynolds, Alex Glowacz, Ben Armour, Sophocles Metinidis, Tommy Acierno and Jack McNamara. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorNo high too high. No low too low.Notre Dame didn’t get too low after dropping the second set to visiting Maine South Thursday in Niles, because they certainly looked like a different team in the third set, taking an early 10-3 lead and never looking back in a 25-18, 22-25, 25-14 victory over the Hawks.Notre Dame coach Peter Maniscalco said it was just a matter ...
Sole survivor Ethan Garst helps young Fremd team tackle Elk Grove in opener
Fremd opened its 2025 season by defeating visiting Elk Grove, 25-19, 25-20, on Monday. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorCamden Seaver? Gone. Nate Caro? Gone. Brian Cochran? Gone. Sean Nolting and Jack Cioni? Also gone.“It’s a whole new crew,” said Fremd coach Tracy Harding.Well, not entirely new. Ethan Garst is back.Garst, a 6-2 outside hitter, is one of only four seniors on the Fremd roster this spring and the only starter back from last year’s team that finished 25-12 and reached the regional final at Conant before losing to the...
Hitting from here, there and everywhere, WW South’s Bratt lights up Downers South
Wheaton Warrenville South junior Simon Bratt (right) had 18 kills and 5 aces, and Mergen Purevsuren (left) added 6 kills and 5 digs in the Tigers' victory Monday at Downers Grove South. By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.comSimon Bratt is no longer a secret.Everyone is aware of what the Wheaton Warrenville South outside junior hitter can bring. What some may not know is where exactly he’s going to bring it from.The Tigers utilized Bratt in several different locations during Monday’s season opener with host Downers Grove South. He responded...
Swiatkowski comes alive in second set to help Benet Academy stop Hinsdale South
Benet Academy improved to 2-1 on the young season with a 27-25, 25-18 victory Thursday over visiting Hinsdale South. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorBenet Academy’s Matthew Swiatkowski had a quiet first set Thursday against visiting Hinsdale South. But boy, did he explode in the second.Swiatkowski slammed 6 kills and added a block in the second set as Benet Academy defeated previously unbeaten Hinsdale South, 27-25, 25-18, Thursday in Lisle.Benet Academy escaped a tight first set, breaking a 25-25 tie on a kill and a block by 5-11 se...
Lake Park’s Carter Gibbons makes York pay for last season’s sectional spanking
Lake Park avenged a 2024 sectional semifinal loss to York on Wednesday behind (from left) Saif Akhtar, freshman setter Jake Ellenbecker, junior Ethan Schnabel, Michael Ogorzalek, junior Nolan Cocat, Carter Gibbons, Dylan Roszak and junior Anthony Bellavia. (Cover photo by Mike Cocat) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorCarter Gibbons remembers something he’d much rather forget.“Coming back, especially in their home gym, and beating them was nice to get a little revenge for last year,” Gibbons said.Prior to Wednesday, the last time Lake Pa...
Rebuilding? No, ‘restructured’ Wheaton Academy turns back Ridgewood rallies
Wheaton Academy features (from left) sophomore libero Abram Lee, junior outside hitter Daniel Ciszek, freshman setter/rightside Kellen Saurer, sophomore middle hitter Kolby Saurer, middle hitter Michah Wilding, setter Joel Baarman and sophomore outside hitter Josiah Nichols. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorWheaton Academy coach D.A. Nichols doesn’t like to use the term, “rebuilding.”“We’re restructuring,” said Nichols, who graduated nine seniors from last year’s 23-7 team and started four sophomores and a freshman Tuesday against visi...
Illprepvb.com looks at the 2025 boys H.S. season with teams starting with M-Z
Wheaton North's 6-5 outside hitter Aidan Syswerda is one of the top juniors in Illinios. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Notice: You may not distribute, modify, transmit, reuse, re-post, or use the content of the Site for public or commercial purposes, including the text, images, audio, and video, without Illprepvb.com, LLC’s written permission. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorToday, we continue our look at some of boys’ volleyball teams across Illinois starting with the schools beginning with the letters M-Z. Illprepvb.com reached o...
Illprepvb.com looks at the 2025 boys’ H.S. season beginning with teams A-L
Six-foot outside hitter Aris Maurukas is one of the top returning players for Benet Academy and coach Hector Cano this spring. On the home page is Downers Grove North's Aidan Akkawi. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Notice: You may not distribute, modify, transmit, reuse, re-post, or use the content of the Site for public or commercial purposes, including the text, images, audio, and video, without Illprepvb.com, LLC’s written permission.By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorToday, we begin our look at some of boys’ volleyball teams across Illinois ...
Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) basics for club directors, coaches and parents
Former Sterling High School two-time IHSA champion and Nebraska star libero Lexi Rodriguez (8) signed NIL deals with Panini America and LOVB Omaha. Rodriguez was the first female NIL athlete for Panini America. (Photo courtesy of Nebraska Athletic Department) By Michelle MeyerFormer Volleyball Player, AuthorArticle courtesy of JVAWith Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) now a part of the college sports landscape, volleyball athletes have the opportunity to benefit financially from their personal brand. While NIL deals are something mos...