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 ...

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...

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-...

Junior outside hitter Trevor Wardlow had 14 kills, but it was not enough as Bolingbrook fell to Joliet West in the championship match of the West Aurora invite Saturday. (File photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorAfter a grueling three-set semifinal match against Oswego East, even Joliet West outside hitter Thomas Fellows wasn’t sure if the Tigers had anything left in the tank heading into the championship match against Bolingbrook at the West Aurora tournament on Saturday.“I don’t even know, to be honest, he said.Bu...

Bolingbrook libero Tyler Vazquez watches as teammate Trevor Wardlow digs a volley during action at the Joliet West invite Saturday. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comEarly in the second set of Saturday's title match, Marist's Nathen Toth appeared to serve an ace. But after some discussion, the officials signaled for a replay.So the junior outside hitter stepped back to the line and served another ace. That sums up the attitude of this season's Marist boys’ volleyball team. The RedHawks are just going t...

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 North improved to 2-0 on the young season with a 21-25, 25-20, 25-23 victory over visiting St. Francis on Wednesday. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorWheaton North took a trip to Six Flags Great America without boarding a bus Wednesday.“That’s high school volleyball,” said Wheaton North’s 6-5 outside hitter Jake Schreiner. “There’s going to be ups and downs every single time. But the game is not supposed to be a roller coaster. You have to have the same energy the whole time.“I told the guys, you can’t fall into a divot when...