Evergreen Park, which features six sophomores, lost to Oak Lawn for the second time in three days Tuesday, this time in a South Suburban Conference clash. By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comA makeshift lineup proved to be no problem for Oak Lawn.With two starters out due to illness, the Spartans had players step up -- including sophomore Maryam Hussein in a new position -- as they cruised to a 25-11, 25-11 victory over Evergreen Park in a South Suburban Conference matchup Tuesday in Oak Lawn.Hussein, who is usually a rightside hitt...

Veteran coach Donna Dulle (in blue shirt) speaks to her Downs Tri-Valley volleyball team during a 25-11, 25-19 season-opening victory over visiting Bloomington Central Catholic on Thursday. (Photo by Randy Sharer) By Randy SharerSpecial to Illprepvb.comDOWNS – Most volleyball teams coached by the legendary Donna Dulle are like picky restaurant guests … they send almost everything back.Such was the case again Thursday when Tri-Valley, ranked No. 6 in Class 2A by Illprepvb.com, returned more than enough of Bloomington Central Catholic’s ...

Barrington's 6-11 junior Cole Hartke missed three weeks and 11 matches due to injury, but has returned to help lead the Broncos to Friday's IHSA quarterfinals. (File photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorFighting the pain.Barrington talks about it every day.Two years ago, No. 2-seeded Barrington lost its regional opener to No. 18 Addison Trail, 25-17, 25-21. Last year, Barrington, arguably the second-best team in the tournament field, fell to eventual IHSA champion Glenbard West, 22-25, 25-13, 25-18, in the finals of ...

Mother McAuley's Ellie White (8) had 11 kills in the championship match against Benet Academy and became one of the top 10 attackers in IHSA history during Autumnfest at Glenbard East. (Photo by Dave Ruiggles). At Glenbard EastPerhaps it was ironic that the MVP of the Glenbard East Autumnfest tournament was a libero who ended the championship match with an ace.Benet Academy’s 5-8 junior libero Aniya Warren, better known for her prowess while roaming the backcourt, sealed the Redwings’ 25-22, 25-22 victory over Mother McAuley with an a...

Hope Huizenga (6) had 5 kills as Timothy Christian defeated Chicago Christian Tuesday in Palos Heights. (File photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comAbby Vander Wal would make any team better.The 6-foot-3-inch junior outside hitter was named the tournament MVP in helping to lead the USA Girls U19 National Team to the World Championship last month in Osijek, Croatia. As an encore, she joined the USA Girls U21 National Team at the end of August and helped the team to a sixth-place finish in the world at the finals i...

Glenbard South junior outside hitter Ben Zima (far right) had 11 kills in the championship match Saturday at Willowbrook, but it wasn't enuogh as Joliet Catholic prevailed, 25-19, 25-20. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorJoliet Catholic’s Zach Pekol waxed philosophic when asked about the inevitable end of the high school careers he and his twin brother, Luke, have enjoyed these past three years.“It's definitely bittersweet that everything is coming to an end, but I'm really excited that I have the opportunity to...

Downers Grove North's Theo Pawlik (6) had 16 kills, but Oak Park-River Forest rallied to defeat the Trojans in three sets Tuesday in Downers Grove. (File photo by Dave Ruggles) At ReavisFor Reavis, the prospect of winning the Red Division of the South Suburban Conference is, well … scary.‘Trying to win the conference is terrifying,” said Reavis sophomore outside hitter Joey Walus. “Every team wants to beat us, but we're not going to allow it.”True to his word, Walus smashed the match-winning kill as Reavis held off visiting Richards, 25-19...

Crystal Lake South's freshman outside hitter Bobbi Wire (16) goes up for a kill against a pair of Huntley defenders. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) y Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorIt’s hard to imagine any freshman class having the impact on their varsity teams the way the Class of 2026 had one year ago.That class of freshmen included St. Charles North’s Haley Burgdorf, Benet Academy’s Lynney Tarnow, Marist’s Elayna Davidson, Lincoln-Way East’s Maggie Simon, Geneseo’s Lizzie Rapps, St. Thomas More’s Cassidy Monahan, Normal U-High’s...

Barrington setter/rightsde hitter and Iowa recruit Jenna Meitzler (11) will try to lead the Fillies to their third consecutive Class 4A semifinal appearance in November. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe start of practice for the 2023 Illinois girls high school season is just two weeks away. Today, Illprepvb.com takes a look ahead to some of the players we expect to make an impact during the upcoming season.So here they are, the Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com 150 Class of '24 Players to Watch:Class of 2024...