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...

York's Jack Bute went from freshman 'B' team setter to one of the top outside hitters in Illinois. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorJack Bute began his high school career buried in the recesses of fieldhouses throughout the western suburbs as a setter on York’s freshman “B” team. But he developed one indispensable skill going into his sophomore year.“I brought Jack up as a sophomore due to his great serve receive, and he killed it in his sophomore year in that role,” said York coach Ken Dowdy. “Talk about an underclassman wh...

Marist junior setter/rightside hitter and Ohio State recruit Christian Teresi was named MVP last weekend at Lincoln-Way East after leading the RedHawks to the tournament championship. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor Christian Teresi was everywhere short of selling popcorn in the stands when he finished with 11 kills, 11 assists, 4 aces and 6 digs in Marist’s first meeting with defending IHSA champion Glenbard West earlier this month at the Brother Rice Smack Attack.But his efforts went for naught as the RedHawks lost to the...

Thomas Tagtmeyer (10) crushes a kill between Plainfield South's Dominic Krejci (21) and Milan Gracanin (15) during the Bengals' 25-16, 25-19 victory Thursday. )Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorAfter playing vital roles on a team that went 33-6, won the Southwest Prairie Conference at 10-0 and advanced to the sectional championship before falling to O’Fallon, 25-18, 25-21, Plainfield East seniors Thomas Tagtmeyer and Braxton Francis have their sights set on another long postseason run.  “Thomas has been the guy for...

Katie Scherer and her 1st Alliance 18 Gold teammates are the only local competitors in the the 18 Open division at this weekend's USA Volleyball Girls 18's Junior National Championship in Baltimore, Maryland. On the homepage is Sky High Adidas 18 Elite's Ruth Ziegler. (File photos by Dave Ruggles). By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorBALTIMORE, MARYLAND – Twelve area teams will be heading to Baltimore, Maryland, this weekend for the USA Volleyball Girls 18's Junior National Championship. It’s the final stop for many of these girls ...

Lake Park's Dylan Roszak tries to get past the Maine South block in a Silver bracket semifinal at the Richard Griesheim Invitational hosted by Downers Grove Soth on Saturday. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comThe opening set of Saturday's showdown between top-ranked Glenbard West and No. 2 Marist at the Brother Rice Smack Attack showed why the two teams are the best in the state. Like a heavyweight fight, the teams exchanged blows and were tied at every point between 7-7 and 17-17. Then came the X-...

Benet Academy remained unbeaten in the East Suburban Catholic Conference Tuesday, defeating Marian Catholic despite losing Dom Krzeczkowski (second from right) to a stomach virus early in the second set. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorWith 6-8 outside hitter and leading attackerDominic Krzeczkowski battling a stomach virus and exiting the match midway through the second set Tuesday, Benet Academy coach Hector Cano was looking for a few heroes.Enter Reed Hefley and sophomore Lukas Carlsen.Hefley provided 19 assists, 7 kills and an ace,...