Joliet West junior setter Sam Racutt dives to make a dig during the championship match versus Wheaton North at the Joliet West invitational. Wheaton North won 25-23, 25-17, to improve to 6-0. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.com With six regular rotation players returning from last season's squad, which placed fourth in the state, O'Fallon is expecting great things this season. In the opening weekend, the Panthers got them. Behind tournament MVP Nathan McBride, O'Fallon captured the title of ...
Simon’s alright, the kids are alright, it’s not weird that WW South stays perfect at 4-0
PLainfield East junior outside hitter Benjamin Salama (29) hits over the outstretched hands of Lincoln-Way West's junior middle hitter David Neylon (20) during the Bengals' victory Wednesday. (PHoto by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor Wheaton Warrenville South’s Simon Bratt is not the kind of player who yells at his teammates after a game. But then again, he’s never played alongside two freshmen and two sophomores.“The Nazareth game (Wednesday) was pretty bad,” he said. “We made a lot of unnecessary errors. I told the...
Young Edison is electric as Bolingbrook pulls the plug on visiting Neuqua Valley
Bolingbrook sophomore Edison Ah-Yo had 9 kills to lead the Raiders past visiting Neuqua Valley on Tuesday. (File photo by Dave Ruggles) By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.comEdison Ah-Yo and his Bolingbrook teammates have an extra incentive to do well this season.For the first time, Bolingbrook is hosting the state finals. Does that get the juices flowing a little more?“Absolutely,” Ah-Yo said. “We wall want to play our last games on our wood court.“You know home field advantage – that’s what it is for us. We just want to come here and pla...
Trojans’ Emperor rules during Downers North’s conquest of Naperville Central
Downers Grove North's Jude Caldwell had 10 assists and 5 kills during the Trojans' victory Monday over Naperville Central. (File photo by Dave Ruggles) By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.comThere is a story behind how Downers Grove North sophomore Emperor Pratts got his unique name.“My mother told me, ‘When you were in my womb, you were a knight. When you came out, you were a king,’” Pratts said.Pratts, a 6-foot-1 rightside hitter, ruled the court at times during his varsity debut on Monday. He came off the bench and led all players with 7...
Looking at more of the boys HS teams getting ready for the 2026 IHSA season
Despite some key departures, Barrington coach Charlie Spry's Broncos will reload behind two of the top players in Illinois as they seek to defend their Mid-Suburban League and regional titles. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorToday, we continue our look at some of boys’ volleyball teams across Illinois. Illprepvb.com reached out multiple times to every coach in Illinois requesting information about their teams and the upcoming 2026 season. This preview reflects some of the responses we received.We thank those ...
Here’s a look at more of the boys HS teams preparing for the 2026 IHSA season
Aaron Grey (15) is one of three returning starters for Downers Grove North. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorToday, we continue our look at some of boys’ volleyball teams across Illinois. Illprepvb.com reaches out multiple times to every coach in Illinois requesting information about their teams and the upcoming 2026 season. This preview reflects some of the responses we received.We thank those coaches who responded for promoting boys volleyball in Illinois, and, more importantly, supporting their student-athlete...
Here’s a first look at some of the boys HS teams preparing for the ’26 IHSA season
Bolingbrook's Edison Ah-Yo (1), who led all Illinois freshmen in kills last season, returns as the Raiders make a run at a Sourhwest Prairie Conference title. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorToday, we begin our look at some of boys’ volleyball teams across Illinois. Illprepvb.com reaches out multiple times to every coach in Illinois requesting information about their teams and the upcoming 2026 season. This preview reflects some of the responses we received.We thank those coaches who responded for promoting boys...
SPVB 18 White’s Maggie Simon is the Ultimate VBC/Illprepvb Player of the Week
Setter Maggie Simon (66, far court middle) helped lead SPVB 18 White to the championship of the 18 Club division at last weekend's 2026 UA Bluegrass Tournament in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phi BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor The UA Bluegrass Tournament in Louisville, Kentucky, brings together more than 100 teams from the Midwest, Southeast and as far away as California to the Kentucky Expo Center for a weekend of high-level volleyball competition.But no matter who is on the other side of the net, Maggie Simon and...
Michio Chicago 18 BlueSmoke is the ‘Ultimate’ fighter at regional championship
Michio Chicago 18 BlueSmoke completed a perfect weekend Sunday at the 2026 GLR Girls Regional Championships, claiming the tournament's 18 American bid to Reno with a 25-21, 14-25, 15-9 victory over Ultimate G18 Gold. https://youtu.be/aCsfmUBg2VA By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorTaking care of business.There will be no petition necessary from Michio Chicago 18 BlueSmoke to participate in the non-bid Patriot division at the 2026 USA Volleyball Girls 18s National Championship in Reno, Nevada, on April 23-25.After finishing third in t...
Here are four important rules every club, high school volleyball parent should know
Parents are encouraged to cheer loud, but classy, according to former player, club coach and director, and current author and speaker Christina Callahan. By Christy CallahanJVA contributor Being a volleyball parent is a full-time commitment. You are the driver, the snack provider, the emotional support system, and sometimes the referee for your own sideline debates. As a former club director, I have seen it all – the super fans, the stressed stat trackers, the “just here for the snacks” parents, and those quietly reliving their glory ...