Benet Academy libero Aniya Warren (front row, third from left) helped the U.S. Girls U19 National Team win the 2024 NORCECA Continental Championship in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, on July 19. (On the home page is St. Francis' Addy Horner (22) (Cover photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorAugust 12.Circle it on your calendar.The first day of practice for girls volleyball teams across Illinois.So today, we begin our look at the best of the best players in Illinois with the Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com Top 150 Girls...
Illprepvb.com presents the Ultimate (VBC) Girls H.S. Volleyball Teams of All Time
Montini was the most dominant team in Illinois regardless of class in 2021, crushing all comers on its way to a 40-1 record and IHSA Class 2A championship. Montini went 14-1 against Cklass 4A competition and suffered its only loss to Class 4A Glenbard West in August of that year. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThere have been many great teams throughout the history of IHSA girls’ high school volleyball – undefeated champions, once-beaten champions, and some teams that did not win an IHSA championship d...
Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com present the Best of the Girls’ H.S. Class of 2026
Carmi-White County's 5-6 outside hitter Caroline Simmons (7) had more than 500 kills for the Bulldogs in 2023. (Photo 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 2026.The list includes Carmi-White County’s 5-6 outside hitter Caroline Simmons, who had a staggering 514 kills last season for the Class 2A fourth-place Lady Bulldogs, and Rockford Christian’s Maddie Anspaugh, whose 386 kills led ...
Tough exit for SPVB 16 Elite in Orlando; Illini Elite 16 White has got the Spirit
SPVB 16 Elite dropped its final match in Orlando, a 25-20, 27-25 loss to GP 16 Rex (Orlando, Florida) in a Gold bracket quarterfinal feed-in match, to finish 8-2 and in ninth place in the 16 Open dvision. (Photo by Ellie Stiernagle) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorOrlando, Florida – It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. And that was just one match. SPVB 16 Elite, the only Illinois entry to reach the championship bracket of the 16 Open division at the AAU Girls National Championships in Orlando, Florida, built lead...
Presenting the Sports Performance VBC/ Illprepvb Coaches Hall of Fame Class of ’24
Former Murphysboro coach Mike Layne had plenty to celebrate during his 20 years as head coach of the Red Devils. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorSix years ago, Illprepvb.com was approached to collaborate on the creation of an Illinois High School Volleyball Coaches Hall of Fame.Unfortunately, at the time, nothing ever came of that phone call. But we felt that the creation of a coaches’ Hall of Fame was long overdue.In July 2020, with input from current and former coaches, players and officials, Illprepvb.com put together the in...
Willett, Glenbard West deny Downers North; York, Bute party like it’s 1999
Downers Grove North's 6-5 junior outside hitter Aiden Akkawi hits over the block of Glenbard West's Brayden Tejeda (11) and Casey Maas (1) Tuesday at Bolingbrook. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepbvb.com Over the past decade, many teams have tried to block Glenbard West's path to the IHSA finals. But with a block like the Hilltoppers had Tuesday night, that's a nearly impossible task.Glenbard West came up big at the net and defeated Downers Grove North, 25-19, 25-19, in Tuesday’s championship match of the ...
Belleville East’s Werner is the Ultimate VBC/Illprepvb.com Player of the Week
Belleville East's August Werner, who has set a program record for most kills in a career, is this week's Ultimate VBC.Illprepvb.com Player of the Week. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorTournament champions. Conference champions. Regional champions. Sectional finalists.Belleville East (33-4) is having a season for the record books, and the driving force behind the Lancers’ excellence this spring is 6-1 outside hitter August Werner.A three-year varsity starter, Werner recently surpassed 900 career kills, the first player in Bell...
Eastside VBC doubles its fun in Orlando, but Belusa’s day is an absolute Classic
Belusa United 18 Cycloes, who wn the 18 Girls division at the 2024 ASICS Junior National Volleyball Championships at Navy PIer earlier this month, capped off a 68-10 season Thursday by winning the 18 Classic division at the AAU Girls Junior National Volleyball Championships in Orlando, Florida. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorOrlando, Florida – Eastside Volleyball Club in East Peoria had a great day Thursday at the AAU Girls Junior National Volleyball Championships at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.But Bel...
Here are a few tips on how to get college volleyball coaches interested in you
College coaches scout for players with not only exceptional skills, but also strong academics and the right team fit. Dreaming of hitting, setting or digging your way onto a college team?You're not alone. College volleyball recruiting is a competitive and strategic process. To stand out, you need to serve more than just aces on the court. It's about showcasing your skills, networking effectively, and understanding the landscape of college volleyball recruiting rankings for 2024 and beyond. Let’s break down the steps to increase your...
Loyola ends St. Francis’ Cinderella run; Marist, Glenbard West, York reach semis
York sophomore Ben Brown (12) had 9 kills as the Dukes defeated Lincoln-Way West, 25-17, 25-17, in Friday's final IHSA quarterfinal at Hoffman Estates. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorLoyola Academy has had some “studs” come through its volleyball program through the years – players like 2014 Sun-Times Player of the Year and three-time Pepperdine All-American David Wieczorek and Quincy University standout Collin Merk.But somebody would always get in the Ramblers' way come IHSA tournament time.“We lost fi...