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...
Normal U-High, Snows hope for better sledding; depth key for L-W East; more
Lemont senior setter April Rice (7) is one of only two starters back for Lemont in 2024. On the home page is Normal U-High's Laney Snow. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe 2024 girls high school volleyball season got underway Monday with the start of practice/tryouts, and Illprepvb.com continues its annual series of previews of the teams, players and coaches whose ultimate goal is a trip to Redbird (now CEFCU) Arena on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal.So, here is (almost) everything you need t...
Marist ends Glenbard West’s reign, takes down York to claim IHSA championship
Marist's outside hitter Luke Brannigan came up big for the RedHawks in Saturday's IHSA chamionship match against York. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorMarist may have had the easiest path to Hoffman Estates and the IHSA semifinals, but once the RedHawks got there …“They (his players) really earned it,” said Marist coach Jordan Vidovic. “We played by far the two next best teams in the state today. Everybody agrees with that. We really had to earn it. We’re really pumped about that.”After defeating two-time d...
Mater Dei under new management; Oak Lawn sheds underdog image; and more
Six-foot-5 Alyssa Koerkenmeier(24) and the Mater Dei Knights have a new coach, but the same goal -- win an IHSA Class 2A championship. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe 2024 girls high school volleyball season gets underway today with the start of practice/tryouts, and Illprepvb.com begins its annual series of previews of the teams, players and coaches whose ultimate goal is a trip to Redbird (now CEFCU) Arena on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal.So, here is (almost) everything you need to ...
Nancy Kerrigan steps down after more than two decades at IC Catholic Prep
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-...
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 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...
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 ...