1st Alliance 18 Gold reached the championship match of the 18 Open division at the 2024 USAV Girls 18s Junior National Championship in Baltimore, Maryland, before falling to TAV 18 Black out of Austin, Texas. (From left) Katie Scherer, Calli Kenny and Grace Nelson were named to the 18 Open all-tourament team. Baltimore, Maryland – After staging an improbable rally from a 14-11 deficit in the third set to defeat Munciana 18 Samurai, 14-25, 25-21, 16-14, in a challenge match Saturday, 1st Alliance 18 Gold seemed destined to claim a na...
Streamwood’s Voravong proves that it’s the size of a player’s heart that matters
Streamwood, which improved to 15-3 overall with Wednesday's win at Rolling Meadows, faces a key Upstate Eight Conference game next week when it hosts Glenbard East. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorStreamwood coach Michelle Mueller admits a lot of people looked at her like she was crazy when she brought up a 5-5 sophomore outside hitter two years ago.They’re not laughing anymore.Brandon Voravong, who is somewhat generously listed at 5-5, smashed a team-high 9 kills and added an ace Wednesday to lead Streamwood (15-3 overall, 4-0 in the ...
1st Alliance 17 Gold aces WCNQ, heads to Las Vegas with an Open bid in hand
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...
New Trier’s David Wolff is the Ultimate VBC/Illprepvb.com Player of the Week
New Trier's 6-8 outside hitter David Wolff is the Ultimate VBC/Illprepvb.com Player of the Week. (Photo by Rob Lange) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepb.com EditorThe total package.That’s how New Trier coach Sue Ellen Haak describes 6-8 outside hitter David Wolff.“There’s a lot to stay about David,” Haak said. “David is doing a great job all across the board. He leads the way in serve receive. He leads the way in blocking. He leads the way in leadership. He’s the total package.“We’re lucky to have him,” she added. “I feel blessed to have him. Th...
Marist doesn’t back down, turns back Glenbrook South to remain unbeaten
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 ...
New Trier shows its grit, overcomes Wheaton North to win the Warren invite
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...
The ‘Brook’s Tyler Vasquez is the Ultimate VBC/Illprepvb.com Player of the Week
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...
Lake Park prepares to ‘size up’ the competition, defeats young Glenbard South
(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 defeats Riverside-Brookfield to open a season brimming with lofty expectations
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 holds the middle ground, grounds Andrew’s Thunderbolts
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...