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...
WW South’s Simon Bratt is the Ultimate VBC/Illprepvb.com Player of the Week
Wheaton Warrenville South 6-3 sophomore Simon Bratt has 41 kills thrugh his first eight sets this season while hitting .569 with a 70.7 kill percentage. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorWheaton Warrenville South’s 6-3 sophomore outside hitter Simon Bratt has been lighting ‘em up and putting ‘em down for the Tigers, who are off to a 4-0 start after sweeping Lyons Township, 25-11, 25-21, Thursday in Wheaton.Bratt had 14 kills, 2 blocks and 2 aces for Wheaton Warrenville South against Lyons Township, including 4 kills during a 6-...
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...
Thomas Fellows, Joliet West find energy to stop Bolingbrook at West Aurora invite
Junior outside hitter Trevor Wardlow had 14 kills, but it was not enough as Bolingbrook fell to Joliet West in the championship match of the West Aurora invite Saturday. (File photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorAfter a grueling three-set semifinal match against Oswego East, even Joliet West outside hitter Thomas Fellows wasn’t sure if the Tigers had anything left in the tank heading into the championship match against Bolingbrook at the West Aurora tournament on Saturday.“I don’t even know, to be honest, he said.Bu...
Marist toasts Lockport at RedHawk invite; Loyola Academy ‘D-ups’ Vernon Hills
Bolingbrook libero Tyler Vazquez watches as teammate Trevor Wardlow digs a volley during action at the Joliet West invite Saturday. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comEarly in the second set of Saturday's title match, Marist's Nathen Toth appeared to serve an ace. But after some discussion, the officials signaled for a replay.So the junior outside hitter stepped back to the line and served another ace. That sums up the attitude of this season's Marist boys’ volleyball team. The RedHawks are just going t...
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 ...
West Chicago ‘welcomes’ Elmwood Park, in advance, to the Upstate Eight
West Chicago improved to 1-1 on the season by defeating Elmwood Park on Tuesday. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor West Chicago did not exactly roll out the welcome mat Tuesday for Elmwood Park.Next year, Elmwood Park, one of four remaining members of the Metro Suburban Conference, will join the Upstate Eight Conference. Two of the other three remaining members of the Metro Suburban – Ridgewood and Riverside-Brookfield – will also join the Upstate Eight.So Tuesday’s trip to West Chicago was an introduction of sorts to their new c...
Who’s ‘kaboom-ing’ who at the Windy City Power League, GLC Challenge Series?
St. Ignatius setter Audrey Schabes and her Adversity G16 Adidas teammates were looking to move up the ladder during 2024 Windy City Power League 15/16 Open play this weekend at Connect 44 in Lombard. On the home page is Schabes' high school and club teammate Marin Thaxton. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) https://youtu.be/xHgK1Q4jCKU 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.c...
Who balled out at the WCPL seeding event, GLC pre-season scrimmage?
SPVB 18 Elite's Ava Grevengoed goes to her knees to dig a ball under the watchful eyes of teammate Addison Torain during the Great Lakes Center Pre-season Scrimmage Sunday in Aurora. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) https://youtu.be/4pBGHa2HsIw 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 EditorToday, we’re taking a look at some...
An official’s impact: Rachel Kirk helps others to learn the game that she loves
There is an overwhelming need for officials on the local, state and national levels. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) As a young child, Rachel Kirk watched her mom play in adult volleyball leagues at the YMCA and begged her to sign her up for a team. They would pepper together on the sidelines before the games began.During middle school, Kirk started playing volleyball for a parochial team and then joined a club when she was 13.She remembers officiating matches during club season and getting on the stand for club tournaments as an R1. Her coach was...