Kris Blumberg (6) had 5 kills, 3 digs and an ace in Glenbrook South's 25-11, 25-21 loss at Marist on Thursday. (File photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.com"I won't back down."Not only is that a classic song by the late great Tom Petty, but it's also the attitude of the Marist boys' volleyball team.The RedHawks hosted a 2023 Elite Eight team for the second straight night and had a resounding victory for the second night in a row.This one was a 25-11, 25-21 win over Glenbrook South in a battle of unbeatens Thursday at ...

Casey Maas (1) and Glenbard West defeated St. Francis, 25-21, 25-13, to win Springfest at Glenbard East on Saturday. On the home page is Glenbard West's Xavion Willett. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorNight and day.“That’s volleyball,” said New Trier coach Sue Ellen Haak.After using a 12-2 run in the first set to break open what had been a two-point game in the championship match Saturday against Wheaton North at the Warren invite, New Trier found itself down a set point and tied five times in the second set at...

Tyler Vasquez is a big reason that Bolingbrook is off to an 11-2 start this season. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe hair is unmistakable. His quirky personality inimitable. His determination unyielding. His importance inescapable.Bolingbrook libero Tyler Vasquez is a big reason that the Raiders are off to an 11-2 start this season. He keeps balls alive in transition and handles serve receive nearly flawlessly. He also sets an example in the gym for his teammates to follow.“Tyler is incredibly focused,” s...

(From left) Luke Bonacci, Dylan Brinkley, Dylan Roszak and Carter Gibbons return from the 25-win Lake Park team that advanced to a regional final last spring before losing to Conant. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorWhat do you get when you when add 6-7 and 6-9 middle hitters to a team with four returning starters from a 25-win regional finalist and pit them against another team that graduated 13 of its 14 varsity players from a year ago and has a roster featuring five juniors, four sophomores and a freshman?You get Lake Park defeating ...

York features six seniors who have been on varsity since their sophomore year, (from left), Zach Brown, Owen Reifenrath, Luke Shorter, Jack Bute, Logan Rice and Jack Zitek. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorDisappointing.That’s the word York’s 6-5 outside hitter and three-year veteran Jack Bute used to describe the season-ending losses the Dukes have suffered since he and five other seniors were elevated to the varsity as sophomores.Last year, York was the No. 3 seed in the Oswego sectional, but was upset by regional host and No. 14 ...

  By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe 2024 adidas Windy City National Qualifier wrapped up Sunday at McCormick Place with at least a few local teams walking away with bids.Among them was 1st Alliance 17 Gold, which was seeking to upgrade the National bid it earned through the Windy City Power League.Mission accomplished.1st Alliance 17 Gold defeated Circle City 17 Purple (Plainfield, Indiana) in the championship match of the 17 Open division, 25-6, 25-20, to finish 10-0 and earn an Open bid to the USA Volleyball G...

Providence Catholic improved to 6-4 overall with a 25-11, 25-22 victory Tuesday at Andrew. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorProvidence Catholic coach Lee Rucinski loves him some middles.“I love our middles,” Rucinski said. “It's a little bit of old-school volleyball. Everything runs through the middle first. But they're so good and so athletic that even though you know it's coming, they have all the shots to see the block and move the ball around.“We try to run them as often as possible, and everybody in the gym knows it,” he added.Prov...

West Chicago improved to 1-1 on the season by defeating Elmwood Park on Tuesday. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor West Chicago did not exactly roll out the welcome mat Tuesday for Elmwood Park.Next year, Elmwood Park, one of four remaining members of the Metro Suburban Conference, will join the Upstate Eight Conference. Two of the other three remaining members of the Metro Suburban – Ridgewood and Riverside-Brookfield – will also join the Upstate Eight.So Tuesday’s trip to West Chicago was an introduction of sorts to their new c...

West Aurora graduate Lauren Carlini was named the 2012-2013 Gatorade National High School Player of the Year and was ranked as the nation’s No. 1 recruit by PrepVolleyball.com before moving on to the University of Wisconsin, where she became the school’s first four-time AVCA All-American and a three-time First Team selection. She has since played professionally overseas and for the US Women's National Team. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorVolleyball has come a long way since the IHSA began sponsoring a state tournament se...

Wheaton Warrenville South 6-3 sophomore Simon Bratt has 41 kills thrugh his first eight sets this season while hitting .569 with a 70.7 kill percentage. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorWheaton Warrenville South’s 6-3 sophomore outside hitter Simon Bratt has been lighting ‘em up and putting ‘em down for the Tigers, who are off to a 4-0 start after sweeping Lyons Township, 25-11, 25-21, Thursday in Wheaton.Bratt had 14 kills, 2 blocks and 2 aces for Wheaton Warrenville South against Lyons Township, including 4 kills during a 6-...