Jack Anderson, who led Glenbard West to an IHSA championship in 2023, is set to lead the Hilltoppers back to Hoffman Estates when the tournament opens Tuesday. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorYou know all that talk about another Glenbard West three-peat?The Hilltoppers are having none of that kind of chatter. They are focused on the present, not the past.“Everyone says there's a lot of pressure on us this year, but we really don't think about it like that,” said Glenbard West 6-3 setter Jack Anderson. “We’re just excited to go out a...

630 Volleyball 17-3, which defeated the No. 1 seed in the 17 Elite division before falling to eventual national champion UNO Boys 17 Elite in the semifinals, finished third in Orlando. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorOrlando, Florida – What do you do when you’re (re)branded?You go out and win yourself a national championship, of course.Windy City Premier B17 fought off two match points in the second set to defeat Warren Sixpack 17 White (Aberdeen, New Jersey), 22-25, 27-25, 15-10, and win the 17 Club division on the final day ...

Eddie Muller (2) had 9 kills and 6 digs and St. Francis overcame a 12-4 deficit in the first set to defeat visiting Brother Rice on Thursday. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvbv.com EditorThing 1 and Thing 2 had a pretty good night Thursday. So did the rest of the Spartans.“Thing 2,” a.k.a. Eddie Muller, had 9 kills and 6 digs, and “Thing 1,” a.k.a. Nick Madden, added 3 kills, an assist and 6 digs as St. Francis rallied from a 12-4 deficit in Game 1 to defeat Brother Rice, 28-26, 25-22, Tuesday in Wheaton.So how does som...

Lockport setter Evan Dziadkowiec had 25 assists, 2 kills, a block and an ace in a 25-20, 25-22 victory over Lincoln-Way West last Thursday that earned the Porters their first outright conference championship. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorEvan Dziadkowiec is anxious to return to a place he’s never been.Huh?As a freshman, Lockport’s 6-2 setter had 410 assists, 22 aces, 107 digs and 12 kills to leads the Porters to their first-ever appearance in the IHSA tournament quarterfinals, where they lost to Southwest Suburban Conference...

Oswego junior middle hitter Will Mundsinger tries to go over a Romeoville block during Southwest Prairie Conference play Thursday in Oswego. On the home page is Oswego junior middle Zach Ebel. (Photos by Dave Ruggles). By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorCan anyone remember the last time Glenbard West didn’t win the West Suburban Silver?Six-foot-3 outside hitter Casey Mass had 12 kills, 7 digs and a block and 6-3 setter Jack Anderson provided 30 assists, 3 digs, a block and an ace as Glenbard West overcame a 15-10 deficit in the second set...

Wheaton Warrenville South (near court shown here against Belleville East at the Tiger Classic) watched a 12-1 lead in the first set evaporate Wednesday at Naperville North before recovering to post a 25-20, 25-8 victory. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorIt ain’t over until the scoreboard reads “25” (that or any number greater than as long as somebody is leading by 2).That’s a valuable lesson to learn, particularly with the IHSA tournament just around the corner.Wheaton Warrenville South was reminded of that ...

Barrington's 6-4 junior Sam Grozdic (3) had 8 kills and 2 blocks in the Broncos' 23-25, 25-21, 15-8 loss to Lincoln-Way East Saturday at North Central College. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorProm in the Pepper Family Wildlife Center at the Lincoln Park Zoo, which houses African lions, snow leopards, Canada lynx and red pandas, got a little sweeter for Lincoln-Way East early Saturday.The Griffins simply better hope none of the lions have a sweet tooth.  Lincoln-Way East (23-10 overall, 3-3 in the Southwest S...

Sandburg junior Jeremiah Aro (airborne left) had 11 kills to pace the Eagles, but it wasn't enough as Homewood-Flossmoor prevailed Tuesday in Orland Park, 25-22, 18-25, 31-29. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comWhen Homewood-Flossmoor opened the season by winning 18 of its first 20 matches, the Vikings looked like shoe-ins to topple the program’s season record for victories. However, after a down stretch, the record started to seem unattainable.But the Vikings dug deep and found a way to win a big Southwest S...

Erik Gonzalez (3) had 7 kills in Lockport's 25-20, 25-22 victory Thursday over Lincoln-Way West. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorYou know the old adage … share and share alike?Well, Lockport ain’t gonna be sharin’ this one.The Porters defeated Lincoln-Way West, 25-20, 25-22, Thursday in Lockport to clinch the outright Southwest Suburban Conference championship for the first time in program history.Lockport earned a share of the conference title in 2021 when the Porters, Lincoln-Way East and Lincoln-Way Wes...

Gavin Gonzalez (3) and St. Francis were handed their first Catholic League loss Tuesday at Brother Rice. (File photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comThere is still a lot of fight in Brother Rice.Literally.Twin brothers John and Zach Mikrut warmed up for the Crusaders' big match against St. Francis by getting in a fight with each other at practice on Monday. That certainly fired up the pair as they took their frustrations out on the Spartans, combining for 21 kills and 4 blocks to lead Brother Rice to a 25-22, 25-...