Fulton finished second at Saturday's Stillman Valley Fall Classic, reahcing the championship match before losing to Lena-Winslow. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorTake it from somebody who’s been there, Lena-Winslow has what it takes to be playing on an early November morning at Redbird Arena in Normal.And chances are they’ll be having fun doing it.“I can say now that now that we’re not in Class 1A, but we’re their biggest fans,” said (Freeport) Aquin coach Robyn Stovall, who guided her team to back-to-back appearances at Redbird Arena...
Spoken nearly 60 years ago, Jack Weinberg’s words still reverberate today
Lemont, which had perhaps its best chance to make its first-ever appearance in the IHSA finals since the program was established, was sidelined not by another team, but by the failure and vindictiveness of adults. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorOK, I admit it. I was part of the “Don't trust anyone over 30” generation.Jack Weinberg, a student activist at the University of California-Berkeley during the turbulent 1960s who is credited with authoring the phrase, made a few more converts this week.Tuesday, the Illinois High Schoo...
Sometimes the ball just falls your way. Just ask Barrington junior Whitney Mall
Barrington's 6-2 junior outside hitter Whitney Mall had 8 kills and 3 blocks in the Fillies' 25-14, 25-19 victory Monday at Wheaton Warrenville South. (File photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThere are times when you can only shrug your shoulders.“I'm so flabbergasted,” said Barrington’s 6-2 junior outside hitter Whitney Mall. “How did that even go over?”Mall’s kill attempt late in the second set was blocked at the net by a pair of defenders, but she had the presence of mind to push the ball back over net off on...
Get better? You could say that about ASICS Challenge champion Mother McAuley
Mother McAuley junior Abigail Willilams slams a kill past a Divine Savior Holy Angels defender during Saturday's semifinal. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorMother McAuley coach Jen DeJarld’s goal for her team this weekend at the ASICS Challenge was two-fold: get better and advance to the final four.“Where we go from there (the final four), I wasn't sure,” she said. “We've been working on a defense and blocking. I think we’re a pretty strong team offensively, but defensively, we needed to be better.“I ...
Video highlights of day one of the St. Charles East Scholastic Cup at Great Lakes
Oswego lost to St. Charles North, 25-21, 18-25, 15-10, at the St. Charles East Scholastic Cup at the Great Lakes Volleyball Center on Friday and will play for the Silver championship on Saturday. (File photo by Dave Ruggles) https://youtu.be/WTKYURn4A_8 Live results and bracket information can be found here: https://results.advancedeventsystems.com/event/U3RfX0NoYXJsZXNfRWFzdF9TY2hvbGFzdGljX0N1cA2/home?_gl=11eddrhg_gaMTQ4MTI1MDcyMC4xNjM2NDYyNzcw_ga_PQ25JN9PJ8*MTY5NTMxNzgxNC4yNzMuMS4xNjk1MzE3OTM1LjAuMC4w&_ga=2.24165...
Naperville Central reaching for success in a much-changed environment
With four juniors playing key rolesy, Naperville Central improvd to 4-3 with a 25-21, 27-25 victory Tuesday over Downers Grove North. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorNaperville Central was one of the most dominant large-school teams in Illinois from 1998 to 2007, winning eight regional titles, three sectional titles and making three appearances in the IHSA finals at Redbird Arena.The Redhawks won two IHSA championships during that period, claiming the Class AA title in 2005 behind Tara Hester, Jessica Yanz and Caitlin Staib, and the...
Sophomores Stiernagle, Tarnow lead Benet past Marist for Wheaton Classic title
Benet Academy won its 10th Wheaton Classic championship Saturday, defeating Marist, 25-20, 25-18. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThere is some symmetry with Benet Academy winning its 10th Wheaton Classic championship while being led by a pair of 10th graders.While neither 6-1 sophomore setter Ellie Stiernagle nor 6-5 sophomore middle hitter Lynney Tarnow reaped all-tournament honors, both were instrumental in Benet Academy’s 25-20, 25-18 victory over previously unbeaten Marist in the Wheaton Classic championship match Saturday.T...
To be the G.O.A.T., you need a G.O.A.T., and Willowbrook has one
Calli Kenny (9) had 22 kills as Willowbrook ended a 10-game losing streak to Lyons Township dating back to 2007 Wednesday in LaGrange. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorCalli Kenny wants her final Willowbrook team to be the greatest Willowbrook team in program history.Helping your team snap a 10-game losing streak against a storied inter-conference rival that dates back to 2007 – and perhaps even further back since the history on the subject is a little sketchy – is a good way to start.The Marquette-bound setter/rightside hitter poun...
Lincoln-Way West extends win streak to seven with late burst against Lemont
Keira O'Donnell had 18 kills, but it wasn't ewnough as Lemont lost to red-hot Lincoln-Way West in New Lenox on Wednesday. (Photo by Dave Ruggles). By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comSince beginning varsity play in 2009, the Lincoln-Way West girls’ volleyball team has won exactly one regional title.That came in a Class 3A regional on their home floor in 2013 with a 23-25, 25-20, 25-22 victory over Illiana Christian. A decade later, the Warriors are putting themselves squarely in the conversation to compete for another regional championsh...
St. Francis begins quest for No. 14, numbers up at Hiawatha; more ’23 previews
St. Francis' Anna Paquette (10)) is one of 10 seniors on the Spartans' roster for coach LIsa Ston and the defending IHSA Class 3A champions. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor The Illinios girls high school volleyball season begins in earnest in just a few days, and today Illprepvb.com continues its annual series of previews of the teams, players and coaches whose ultimate goal is a trip to Redbird (now CEFCU) Arena on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal. Here is nearly everything y...