A key injury early in its semifinal match stalled SPVB 18 Kahl's drive to the 18 Premier chamionship game at the 50th AAU Girls National Volleyball Championships in Orlando, Florida. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorORLANDO, Florida – Sometimes it’s about the journey, not the destination.SPVB 18 Elite, seeking its first national title since 2018 when it defeated Munciana 18 Samurai twice in 24 hours, lost to its neighbors from across the border Saturday in the championship match of the 18 Open division at the 50th annual AAU Girls Natio...
York brings the hype, claims crosstown battle with visiting IC Catholic Prep
York's eight seniors played key roles in Monday's season-opening win over visiting IC Catholic Prep in front of a large crowd on St. Charles Road in Elmhurst. Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorEmelyn Stettin & Co. are bringing the hype.“The team chemistry is so amazing this year,” said York’s 5-11 setter. “We’re so compatible with each other. Everyone just gets along so well. We play for each other. We’re a very selfless team. We’re so supportive of each other. We’re always there for one another when someone messes up.And…?“We bring t...
Dulle, Downs Tri-Valley open season with win over Bloomington Central Catholic
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 ...
Feeling the pain is Barrington’s gain; IHSA quarterfinal pairings flush with drama
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 ...
Shorthanded by illness, Oak Lawn still leaves Evergreen Park feeling blue
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...
Who are Illinois’ winningest girls high school coaches? Here’s an updated list
Mother McAuley coach and Sports Performance VBC/Illprepvb.com Hall of Fame member Jen DeJarld joined the 600-win club this season. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Editor's note: Our thanks to Brian Smith through whose extensive research these numbers were updated and verified. He is currently working on a list of programs that have achieved 1,000 victories. According to Smith, one such program that joined that list this fall is Pleasant Plains, which began the 2023 season, its 50th, with 999 wins, 478 losses and one tie.(updated, 12:40 p.m., Wednes...
Benet passes Mother McAuley at Autumnfest; Metamora aces U-High final
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...
Joliet Catholic’s big bounce back betters Glenbard South at Willowbrook invite
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...
Reavis closes in on SSC Red title; OPRF rally leaves Downers North feeling sick
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...
Timothy Christian’s Vander Wal has another championship on her bucket list
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...