Legendary coach Larry Sample guided Jacksonville to an IHSA Class AA championship, the first won by a downstate school in the big-school class, in 1988, then later coached (Chatham) Glenwood for three years before retiring following the 2008 season. (Photo courtesy of the Springfield State Journal-Register). By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorFive years ago, Illprepvb.com was approached to collaborate on the creation of an Illinois High School Volleyball Coaches Hall of Fame.Unfortunately, at the time, nothing ever came of that phone call...

Lynney Tarnow (12) had 10 kills, 3 blocks and an ace in Benet Academy's victory in the championship match of the St. Charles East Scholastic Cup on Saturday at the Great lakes Volleyball Center in Aurora. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorSlow starts are enough to drive any coach mad.But it’s not how you start that matters, it’s how you finish. And Benet Academy finished with a bang.After falling behind 14-6 in the opening set of Saturday’s championship match of the St. Charles East Scholastic Cup tournament at t...

Glenbard South iproved to 16-3 overall with a 25-21, 25-16 victory Thursday over Fremd in Glen Ellyn. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThis is the year they’ve been pointing to since a boys’ volleyball team first took the court at Glenbard South in 2020.And, so far, they haven’t disappointed.Thursday, the Upstate Eight Conference-contending Raiders improved to 16-3 by knocking off Mid-Suburban West co-leader Fremd, 25-21, 25-16, in Glen Ellyn.   “This is it,” said Glenbard South’s 5-10 setter Mike Hines. “This is it. We have ...

Hinsdale Central (far court), which defeated Lyons Township during the regular season and in last year's sectional semifinals, could not pull of the feat again Saturday. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) At OswegoLyons Township stars Sam Levinson and Luka Kostic claim they don’t dwell on the past.But they aren’t above using history to fuel their fire.Levinson smashed 9 kills and Kostic landed eight more as the top-seeded Lions knocked off rival Hinsdale Central, 25-21, 25-20, in the Oswego Sectional semifinals on Saturday.The victory avenged a ...

Rolling Meadows' middle hitter Chruis Kalweit (23) and the Mustangs dropped both of their matches Friday at the Wheaton Warrenville South Tiger Classic. (File photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorLoyola Academy took care of business. St. Rita gave Fremd the business.  Day two at the Wheaton Warrenville South Tiger Classic did not go exactly as planned for several of the top seeds. But Loyola Academy came out of the scrum unscathed, defeating Rolling Meadows and Neuqua Valley in straight sets to advance to Saturday’s q...

Amanda Stephens (19), who led tiny Augusta Southeastern to the IHSA Class 1A semifinals as a freshman in 2021, is back to lead the Suns again this fall. On the homepage is Norris City-Omaha-Enfield's Hinsley Everett. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor The 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 ...

Benet Academy defeated Metea Valley, 27-25, 25-20, to win the championship of the Metea Valley tournament Saturday in Aurora. At Metea ValleyBaby steps.“it’s a testament to the work we’ve done,” said Benet Academy coach Jeff Steinberg. “Our goal this weekend was to get 1 percent better at certain aspects of our game. We’ve struggled on Saturdays at the tournaments we’ve been in, so to come out and actually perform and not drop a set … “Baby steps.String enough of them together and you could make a giant leap.Six-foot-8 junior Dominic Krzecz...

Junior middle hitter Adam Janowiak had 8 kills and a block in Downers Grove North's win over Oswego at Glenbard South. (File photo by Dave Ruggles) https://youtu.be/idz93dLMcEA By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorGlenbard West. Lyons Township. Oak Park-River Forest. Plainfield East. York. Fishers (Indiana).Downers Grove North has played them all … winning some, losing some, and hanging with just about everybody on their schedule.The IHSA tournament road ahead doesn’t get any easier for the Trojans, who advanced to Thursday’s 6:00 ...

1st Alliance 18 Silver (far court) took down Soprts Performance's No. 1 18s team, 25-20, 19-25, 15-13, but it could not get past the home club's No. 2 team, SPVB 18 Kahl, Saturday at the Great Lakes Volleyball Center in Aurora. (File photos by Dave Ruggles) https://youtu.be/SiT1dmieQfs By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorSometimes, there’s no rhyme or reason in volleyball.Just ask fans of 1st Alliance 18 Silver.Moments after watching their team ease past Sports Performance 18 Elite, 25-20, 19-25, 15-13, Saturday at the Champions Cup a...