Alonnah Nance, a student at Joliet West and member of UNO's 16 Elite volleyball team, died in a mass shooting at her home in Joliet earlier this week. (Photo courtesy of UNO VBC). By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorDeath, any death, is always tragic. But the senseless loss of a young life is particularly difficult to understand.Alonnah Nance, a student at Joliet West and member of the UNO Volleyball Club family, was only 16 years old when her life was cut tragically last weekend in a senseless mass shooting that also claimed the lives of ...
College Recruiting Solutions: Tournament Season Checklist for Upperclassmen
Now that the high school season is over, uncommitted junior and senior student-athletes who want to play in college need to make communicating with college coaches a priority. (Photo by Jenny Butler/Fighting Illini Athletics) (Cover photo by Craig Pessman/Fighting Illini Athletics) Note: This article was provided by the Junior Volleyball Association.The high school season is over and it’s finally about time for in-person recruiting to get back into full swing. If you’re an uncommitted junior or senior and want to play in college, this arti...
Illprepvb.com presents a first look at Illinois’ top 2024 club teams … the 16s
Breese Mater Dei's Addison Nenninger (above), who led the Knights to the IHSA Class 2A championship in the fall, will guide the fortunes of Blue Steel U16 Black during the 2023-2024 club season. On the home page is Adversity's Audrey Schabes. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) (Updated 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, December 27)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 Ph...
Mastery of the moment makes McAuley’s Ellie White choice for Player of the Year
Elllie White and Mother McAuley finished second at Autumnfest at Glenbard East, where they defeated Barrington, 25-18, 25-23, in the semifinals before losing to Benet Academy in the championship match, 25-22, 25-22. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.comThe power Mother McAuley’s Ellie White often unleashes with her right arm is a sight to behold.But that’s not the skill that sets the 5-foot-11 outside hitter apart from every other player in the state.No, it’s her consistency. White was like a human metro...
Slow start, Normal West can’t stop McAuley; Willowbrook’s long wait is over
Willowbrook's Hannah Kenny (6) puts down a kill over the utstretched arms of Joliet West's Peyton Darguzis (18) and Brooke Schwall (12). (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Randy SharerSpecial to Illprepvb.comNORMAL – Falling behind 10-4 to open the Class 4A supersectional Friday at Normal Community might have rattled many teams beyond repair, but not Mother McAuley.The reigning state champion Mighty Macs mounted a 12-2 comeback that catapulted them to a 25-19, 25-21 victory over upset-minded Normal West in front of a capacity crowd.“It was shaky...
The winning will go on at Lincoln-Way West despite two key losses from ’23
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...
Illprepvb.com presents a first look at Illinois’ top 2024 club teams … the 17s
Five-foot-10 outside hitter Abbey Williams, who won an IHSA Class 4A championship with Mother McAuley in the fall, will compete for Michio Chicago 17 National during the club season. On the home page is 6-2 outside hitter Whitney Mall (Barrington) of Sky High Adidas 17 Elite. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) 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 Brozynski...
New Trier shows its grit, overcomes Wheaton North to win the Warren invite
Casey Maas (1) and Glenbard West defeated St. Francis, 25-21, 25-13, to win Springfest at Glenbard East on Saturday. On the home page is Glenbard West's Xavion Willett. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorNight and day.“That’s volleyball,” said New Trier coach Sue Ellen Haak.After using a 12-2 run in the first set to break open what had been a two-point game in the championship match Saturday against Wheaton North at the Warren invite, New Trier found itself down a set point and tied five times in the second set at...
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...