Six-foot-7 junior David Wolff (30) returns seeking to lead New Trier to its eighth IHSA quarterrfinal appearance in the last nine years .On the home page, O'Fallon's 6-4 outside Camryn Sheehan hopes to bring the Panthers back to Hoffman Estates in June. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe Illinois boys high school season kicks off Monday, and here are 100 reasons to watch (in alphabetical order):Max Adkisson, 5-8, Jr., L, Vernon HillsAidan Akkawi, 6-4, So., OH, Downers Grove NorthKristaps Andersons, ...

Chance Shampine (7) had 24 kills in the championship match Saturday at the Richard Griesheim Invitational at Downers Grove South as Glenbrook South nudged Oak Park-River Firest, 25-21, 20-25, 25-23. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comAs a top returner from the defending state champion Glenbard West boys' volleyball team, Parker Moorhead knows what it takes to win.“I want it all,” Moorhead said. “I love winning.”Moorhead made sure the Hilltoppers did more winning on Saturday. He earned tournament MVP honors af...

Lauren Coyne (center) led Wheaton Warrenville South in kills during the high school season and will be counted on to do more of the same for Sports Performance's 16 Elite team. On the home page is 1st Alliance's Abby Vander Wal of Timothy Christian. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorToday, we turn our attention to the 16s as we continue our look at some of the top club teams in Illinois. This year’s crop of 16s features some of the best young talent in Illinois.Among the 16s taking the court this winter...

HP Illinois 16 National had already punched its ticket to USAV nationals at the Mideast Quallifier in Indianapolis, but reaching the finals of the 16 USA division Sunday at McCormick Place was icing on the cake. On the home page, Fusion 17 Gino defeated UNO Girls 17 Elite to win the 17 Freedom division Sunday, but both teams will advance to nationals after earning bids in Chicago. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorSome came to Chicago to get better. Others came to improve their seeding for nationals.Many, however, came just for the oppo...

York players gathered prior to their West Suburban Silver match with visiting Lyons on Tuesday, won by the Lions, 25-23, 25-20. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorWhat’s the difference between a good team and a great team?“Consistency,” said Lyons Township’s 6-6 junior outside hitter Luka Kostic. “We’ve really been focusing on consistency because early in the season we were having our ups and downs. We want to be a very good team at all times and not have ups and downs or loops or hills or anything like that.“Consistency … that’s the ma...

SPVB 18 Elite's Audrey Brcka (Wheaton North) overcomes the block of a pair of defenders during action at the 2023 SPVB Presidents Day Challenge. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorKitty Sandt was happy simply to be back on the court.Winning the 18/17 Girls division at the 2023 SPVB Presidents Day Challenge was a bonus.“We had a month off,” said Sandt, SPVB 18 Elite’s 5-11 setter and the tournament MVP. “I think we really improved since then because we've been really training hard. But it was nice to finally play so...

The Windy City Power League 16/15 Open division seeding event got underway Saturday. Two weeks ago, Mission 17 Elite (pictured) went 3-3 at the 18/17 Open division seeding event, finishing 21st overall and 12th among the 17s. https://youtu.be/4IfrKftYYYQ By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe 1st Alliance Volleyball Club training facility in Darien is just a hop, skip and jump for Bloomington-based Illini Elite Volleyball Club owner/director and Illini Elite 16 Cardinal coach Andy Erins.“What I like about this (location) is that I ...

1st Alliance 16 Gold's Jenna Kolosta (Lockport) skies over an Adversity defender in earlier Windy City Power League action. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) https://youtu.be/2dvSCVZf9Xo By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorAdversity G16 Adidas coach Lucas Yanez believes that some club teams will eventually catch up to 1st Alliance VBC’s 16s and 15s at the Windy City Power League.But that someday was not Sunday.1st Alliance 16 Gold held off 1st Alliance 16 Silver, 24-26, 25-17, 15-9, Sunday at Connect44 in Lombard to finish 12-0 a...

Yuliia Shchepkina (Neuqua Valley) and her SPVB 18 Kahl teammates went 3-0 Saturday during pool play at the Champions Cup hosted by the Great Lakes Volleyball Center in Aurora. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) https://youtu.be/ioVBnWsnKW0 By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorWhen Bria Lomax looks to her left, glances to her right or peeks behind her, she doesn’t see many familiar faces.“Yes, I am the sole survivor,” she said.Lomax, a 6-0 middle hitter, is the only returning player from the Sports Performance 18 Kahl roster that finished second ...