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...
Presenting the Sports Performance VBC/ Illprepvb.com top 100 H.S. boys players
New Trier’s David Wolff (30), a 6-foot-8 outside hitter who also plays for MOD Elite Volleyball Club in Skokie, and a player in USA Volleyball’s National Team Development Program, was named the Junior Male Athlete of the Year by USA Volleyball. Wolff will be honored at USA Volleyball’s 2024 Hall of Fame annual banquet and ceremony at the Hilton Polaris in Columbus, Ohio, on May 22. Notice: You may not distribute, modify, transmit, reuse, re-post, or use the content of the Site for public or commercial purposes, including the text, images, a...
VC United 171 Elite beats Sky High Adidas 17 Elite for Great Lakes Regional title
VC United 171 Elite holds the championship trophy after defeating Sky High Adidas 17 Elite for the 17 Open division title at the 2024 Great Lakes Girls Regional Championships. https://youtu.be/LHUUEtlmtMs By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor“I do believe. I do believe. I do, I do, I do.” – the Cowardly Lion in “The Wizard of Oz.”Believing.That’s what got VC United 171 over the hump in the championship match in the 17 Open division of the 2024 Great Lakes Girls Regional Championships at the Wintrust Sports Complex Sunday in Be...
College recruiting solutions: What to do if you are still going through the process
There are four important areas of the recruiting process geared toward upperclassmen who are still going through the recruiting process. By Meghan KeckFor the Junior Volleyball AssociationA few months ago, we were preparing for the club season to start, the holiday break hit us, and boom, its March and the Evaluation Period and Contact Period is here. UPPERCLASSMEN (juniors and seniors in high school), hopefully, you took some of the advice from the December article and feel pretty good about where you’re at with your recruiti...
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...
Bolingbrook has modest goals, high expectations with veteran-laden lineup
Jacqson Lesure is just one of several experienced players on the Bolingbrook roster looking to win the school's first regional championship since the program was established in 2004. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorIs this the year the Bolingbrook boys' volleyball team takes its place in the school's trophy case?The boys’ volleyball program at Bolingbrook was established in 2004. Although there have been a few highlight-worthy moments along the way -- many of them provided by former Lewis great Tyler Mitche...
Downers Grove North ‘set’-tles in, runs past Naperville Central in opener
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,...
These girls are making a difference through their work ethic and their play
Benet Academy's Ellie Stiernagle is a threat as a setter and an attacker for SPVB 16 Elite. On the homepage is one of Stiernagle's club teammates, St. Charles North's Haley Burgdorf. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorToday, we continue our look at the players who are crushing on the court for their respective clubs:Tori Brents5-10, 8th grade, Setter/rightsideBalance 15 WhiteBrents is a homegrown Balance player who can do it all, said Balance VBC director Patty Langanis. “Tori runs a 6-2 and leads this team, e...
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...