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...
Illprepvb.com presents a first look at Illinois’ top 2024 club teams … the 15s
Bloomington Central Catholic's 6-1 freshman outside/rightside hitter Kampbell Niepagen (8), who led the Saints in kills this fall, will brinrg her powerful right arm to SPVB 15 Elite this season. (Photo by Randy Sharer) 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, audio, and video, without Illprepvb.com, LLC’s written permission. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorRemember last year when we talked about the college tran...
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...
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...
Club volleyball provides the ultimate bonding experience for father and son
Ultimate B15 Gold, coached by Lincoln-Way East boys coach Kris Fiore (far right) and which features his son, Braeden (fourth from right), is one oif the top 15s team in Illinois and is the top seed in the 15 Club division at this weekend's 2023-2024 Great Lakes Regional Championships at the Wintrust Sports Complex in Bedford Park. Lincoln-Way East boys coach Kris Fiore and his son, Braeden, a freshman setter at Lincoln-Way Central. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThere will come a time when father and son will go head-to-head.That’...
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...
How to improve hand-eye coordination to become a better volleyball player
Hand-eye coordination is a skill that can be improved through drills, practice and dedication. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Hand-eye coordination is a crucial skill that is often overlooked. It is the ability to use our eyes to guide our hands in performing a specific task accurately and efficiently. From playing sports to everyday tasks like driving and typing, hand-eye coordination plays a significant role in our daily activities.Hand-eye coordination is a critical skill for volleyball players. It allows them to react quickly to the ball, accu...
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 ...
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,...