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,...

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...

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-...

Glenbard West dropped the first set to Oak Park-River Forest Tuesday in Glen Ellyn, then rallied from a late deficit in the third to hand the Huskies their first loss of the season. (File photo by Dave Ruggles) By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.comA bus delay caused Oak Park-River Forest to arrive more than an hour late for its showdown with Glenbard West in Glen Ellyn on Tuesday.When the highly anticipated match finally got started, it proved to be worth the wait.Senior opposite Adam Graham smashed all nine of his kills in the final two ...

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...