Downers Grove North's 6-5 junior Aiden Akkawi (11) had 8 kills and an ace to pace the Trojans to a 25-13, 25-20 victory over Naperville Central in both teams' season opener Monday. On the home page is Plainfield South's 6-1 junior outside hitter Chase Kreitzer. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorNobody expects perfection the first time a team takes the court.Not even from a team burdened by the expectations that follow Downers Grove North.“Typical first game, I’ve seen it a million times … they haven’t, but I have,...
Glenbrook South ready to take its chances sans ’23 Player of the Year Shampine
Six-foot-4 outside hitter Kris Blumberg, who accounted for 224 kills as a junior, is one of several seniors back to boost Glenbrook South's bid to return to Hoffman Estates this spring. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorSo what are Glenbrook South’s chances of repeating last year’s near-flawless run to the IHSA quarterfinals?That depends on whether the Titans can compensate for the loss of Sports Performance VBC/Illprepvb.com Player of the Year Chance Shampine.Shampine led Glenbrook South (33-2) on its return to...
Great Lakes Regional Championship … what does it mean? Nothing. Everything.
Michio Chicago 15 National 's (from left) Malley Green, Luca Bombacino, Kyla Mitchell and Mikayla Marshall. https://youtu.be/VYIKGqz9szQ By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorBid, lose or draw, they came with a purpose.The 15s and 16s age divisions took center stage this weekend to compete in the 2024 Great Lakes Regional Championships at the Wintrust Sports Complex in Bedford Park and Southland Complex in Lynwood.1st Alliance 16 Gold and 1st Alliance 15 Gold, the top cats in the 15/16 Open division of the Windy City Power Leagu...
Silvers max out well, bring the hammer down to sweep Great Lakes Regional
Adversity G16 Adidas' (from left) Charlotte Kozak, Bella Potempa, Marin Thaxton and Audrey Schabes. https://youtu.be/JKxm7IvNlrg By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor The great late comedian George Carlin once said, “Behind every silver lining, there’s a dark cloud.”Sunday at the 2024 Great Lakes Girls Regional Championships, however, behind every Silver lineup there was a pot of gold.1st Alliance 16 Silver defeated Adversity G16 Adidas, 25-22, 25-23, to win the 16 Open division, and 1st Alliance 15 Silver stopped Michio Chicago 15...
How to improve your vertical jump and become a better hitter, blocker, server
There are a number of ways volleyball players can improve their vertical jumps and become a better attacker, blocker and server. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) Volleyball requires a combination of speed, agility and power. One of the most important skills in volleyball is the ability to jump high, also known as vertical jump. A higher vertical jump can give you an advantage in hitting, blocking and serving.So how can you improve your vertical jump? Plyometric ExercisesPlyometric exercises are a great way to improve your vertical jump ...
The boys take center stage at the 2024 SPVB Presidents Day Challenge
SPVB 16 Elite's Greyson Covay (24) slips a kill past a pair of Predators 18U Boys Legacy (Kitchener, California) defenders while Adam Hartung (57) and Benjamin Brown (23) look on. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) https://youtu.be/mUr4NvUXil4 By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorWhile most Illinois boys’ club teams have disbanded until mid-June to prepare for the spring high school season, a few die-hard souls gathered prior to going their separate ways for the 2024 SPVB Presidents Day Challenge at the Great Lakes Volleyball Center in Aurora.H...
Kansas City here we come – 1st Alliance, SPVB and others bound for Triple Crown
Sidney Hamaker (17) and SPVB 18 Elite will compete in the Triple Crown NIT this weekend in Kansas City. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorTaking a peek at the pools and pairings for the 2024 Triple Crown NIT at the Bartle Hall Convention Center in Kansas City, Missouri, this weekend, we’re certain they must be determined by some kind of well-established mathematic formula.We’re just not sure even J. Robert Oppenheimer could figure them out.Nevertheless, the Triple Crown NIT, arguably the Midwest’s premi...
The winning will go on at Lincoln-Way West despite two key losses from ’23
Connor Studer (9), who had 468 kills for Lincoln-Way West last spring, has moved on. But the Warriors are still a good bet to repeat as 30-game winners and conference and regional champions. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor2024 should be another memorable season for Lincoln-Way West.All but two players return from a team that reached 30 wins, won a regional championship, finished 8-0 in the rugged Southwest Suburban Conference, won the Joliet West invite, and finished in the top eight at Wheaton Warrenville ...
Glenbard West eyes another three-peat behind Graham, Maas and company
Afre winning its second consecutive title last June, Glenbard West will chase its second IHSA championship three-peat in nine years this spring. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe Hilltoppers are at it again.After winning three IHSA championships between 2015 and 2017, then falling short from 2018-2021 – twice losing in the semifinals – Glenbard West has won the last two titles and is positioned to complete another three-peat this spring.Sure, Parker Moorhead has moved on. Last year’s leading hitter is now...
New season, new coach and new faces enter the picture at Brother Rice
Dan Dwyer ended his 31-year tenure as an assistant and head coach at Brother Rice at the end of last season. Former Crusader player Brandon McGinnis is the school's new boys' volleyball coach. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Brother Rice coach Brandon McGinnis By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe first day of practice for the spring 2024 boys high school volleyball season is just a week away, and nowhere is the upcoming season more eagerly anticipated than at Brother Rice.The Crusaders are coming off the program’s winningest season since...