After leading IC Catholic Prep to back-to-back runner-up finishes in the IHSA Class 2A tournament and more than 20 years affiliated with the program, Nancy Kerrigan is stepping down to focus on family and other pursuits. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Nancy Kerrigan, who has been an integral part of the IC Catholic Prep girls volleyball program for more than two decades, announced Monday that she is stepping down. “IC volleyball has been an integral part of my life journey, affording me the privilege to collaborate with exceptional coaches,...
Storm blows 17 Gold off course … again; 16 Gold second, Michio third in Las Vegas
1st Alliance 17 Gold advanced to the semifinals of the 17 Open division at the USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Championship in Las Vegas, but lost for the second consecutive year to Arizona Storm 17 Thunder. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorLas Vegas, Nevada – It might have been 110 degrees in the shade in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday, but inside the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, there was a Storm brewing across the net from 1st Alliance 17 Gold.For the second consecutive year. Nebraska-recruit Teraya Sigler and Arizon...
‘Brook throws scare into Glenbard West; Downers North, York, Conant advance
Bolingbrook and coach Molly DeSerf came within inches of dethroning two-time defending IHSA champion Glenbard West, falling 25-27, 25-18, 31-29, in a sectional semifinal Saturday at Bolingbrook. (File photo by Dave Ruggles). By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comGlenbard West hasn’t reached the top of the boys’ volleyball food chain without having some character checks. The two-time defending IHSA champions faced the ultimate test Saturday. The Hilltoppers fought off a pair of match points and upended upstart Bolingbrook, 25-27, 25-18, 31-...
Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com present the Best of the Girls’ H.S. Class of 2025
Graduation took a toll on Lincoln's 2023 Class 3A runner-up, but top attacker Payton Sasse (9) is among those who return from a year ago. On the homepage is Willowbrook's Hannah Kenny, who will be headed to Louisville next fall to play libero. (Photos 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 2025.The list includes Marist’s 6-2 outside hitter and Northwestern recruit Bella Bullington, who...
Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com present the Top 150 Girls H.S. Players in 2024
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...
Bolingbrook makes history at Joliet West; Mally & Loberg lay down law at Geneva
Geneva surprised Wheaton Warrenville South Thursday to win ithe boys volleyball program's first-ever regional championship. (File photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comThere's no place like home.The Bolingbrook boys' volleyball team is going there. Knowing a victory would send them back to their home floor for the sectional, the Raiders rallied down the stretch and emerged with the first regional championship in the history of the boys' volleyball program.The Raiders toppled the hosts, 17-25, 25-19, 25-17, in ...
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...
How can you ace that club and/or high school volleyball tryout? Here’s some tips
Athletes must be prepared physically and mentally prior to tryouts at their favorite ckub and their local high school. Tryouts at many clubs throughout Illinois have already begun, while the first day of high school tryouts/practice is less than a month away.Trying out for a club or high school volleyball team can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. Whether you’re aiming to make the team for the first time, seeking to secure a spot on the varsity or land a spot on a higher-level club team, preparation is key.Before stepping onto the court ...
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 ...
SPVB B18 Lenny is electric in Orlando, wins club’s 109th national championship
SPVB B18 Lenny defeated Mamba 18 Black (Milwaukee, Wisconsin), 25-20, 23-25, 15-6, to win the 18 Premier division at the AAU Boys Junior National Championships in Orlando, Florida, on Wednesday. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor Orlando, Florida – No. 2 is No. 1. SPVB B18 Lenny defeated Mamba 18 Black (Milwaukee, Wisconsin), 25-20, 23-25, 15-6, to win the 18 Premier division at the AAU Boys Junior National Volleyball Championships Wednesday in Orlando, Florida.The national championship was the 109th in the club’s storied...