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...
Benet, St. Ignatius seek Redbird redux; Massac Co. eyes another River run; more
St. Ignatius may have been a surprise IHSA Clas 3A semifinalist in 2023, but it would not shock anyone to see the Wolfpack feasting in Normal again this fall. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor The 2024 girls high school volleyball season got underway last 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) every...
Tremont bottles up previously unbeaten Lexington in both teams’ HOIC opener
Lexington High School outside hitter Avery Poppe (8) had difficulty penetrating Tremont's block during a 25-12, 25-12 loss to the host Turks on Thursday. Tremont finished with 7 blocks. (On the home page) Tremont High School setter Lilly Klaus (21), who recently surpassed 1,000 career assists, had 25 assists and 8 digs in Thursday's 25-12, 25-12 victory over previously unbeaten Lexington at Tremont. (Photos by Randy Sharer) By Randy SharerSpecial to Illprepvb.comTREMONT – Playing shorthanded against Tremont High School’s strong-armed volley...
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...
Can Barrington’s new cast make it four in a row? Oswego pins hopes on Hamaker
Sidney Hamaker's 392 kills helped to lead Oswego to its first regional title since 2011 and only the fourth in program history. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor The 2024 girls high school volleyball season got underway last 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 ne...
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...
Can Limestone, Glenwood challenge St. Francis’ dominance in Class 3A? More …
An all-too familiar sight at Redbird Arena. St, Francis celebrated its second Class 3A championship in two years last fall, and is going for its third three-peat since 2002 this season. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe 2024 girls high school volleyball season got underway last week 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 Uni...
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...
Last season’s heartbreak fuels Nokomis; Gavin’s wait finally over at Fremd; more
Lockport's 6-2 sophomore Kyla Mitchell returns after a freshman season that saw her post 157 kills and 78 blocks. (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 to know about some o...