St. Francis' Anna Paquette (10)) is one of 10 seniors on the Spartans' roster for coach LIsa Ston and the defending IHSA Class 3A champions. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor The Illinios girls high school volleyball season begins in earnest in just a few days, and today Illprepvb.com continues its annual series of previews of the teams, players and coaches whose ultimate goal is a trip to Redbird (now CEFCU) Arena on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal. Here is nearly everything y...
Togetherness, intensity drive St. Francis to victory over visiting Glenbard East
Glenbard East's 6-4 junior rightside Danny Overlin (18) sat out Wednesday's loss at St. Francis after suffering a severe ankle sprain in a recent match against Naperville Central. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorWhat drives St. Francis?Intensity, said 6-2 junior libero JT McCormick.“Intensity has always driven us,” McCormick said. “Whenever we’re up, whenever we’re loud, we tend to score the points that are necessary to win. When our intensity is up, so is our play.”Togetherness, said 6-5 junior setter Kyle Zedi...
Mmmm. Mother McAuley, Massac County, Metea Valley, and more ’23 previews
Metea Valley's Anna Murphy (10) and Camille Morrison (17) are among seven players back from last year's IHSA Class 4A sectional semifinalist. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThe Illinios girls high school volleyball season begins in earnest in less than seven days, and today Illprepvb.com continues its annual series of previews of the teams, players and coaches whose ultimate goal is a trip to Redbird (now CEFCU) Arena on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal.Today's preview includes an entertainin...
Bullington, Marist stop Oak Park-River Forest; McAuley ends St. Laurence’s run
Junior outside hitter Bella Bullington (2) had 12 kills in the championship match and was named MVP of the Mizuno Crimson Classic hosted by Plainfield North and sponsored by Sports Performance VBC and Illprepvb.com. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) Relentless.“Something that's so special about this group is that we’re all so mentally tough,” said Marist’s 6-1 junior outside hitter Bella Bullington in a rare quiet moment late Saturday afternoon at the Great Lakes Volleyball Center in Aurora. “We’ll get in those ruts, but it doesn't feel panicky....
Bullington, Marist take down McAuley; Benet pulls inside job on Glenbard West
The MVP of the Crimson Classic hosted by Plainfield North earlier this year, Marist's Bella Bullington lit up Mother McAuley to the tune of 25 kills Thursday in the RedHawks' 25-20, 24-26, 25-16 victory. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comBella Bullington brought it. Did she ever.The 6-1 junior outside hitter put down a staggering 25 kills as Marist defeated Mother McAuley, 25-20, 24-26, 25-16, in the always intense neighborhood match before a raucous crowd Thursday on 99th and Pulaski.It was the f...
Lake Park sneaks past South Elgin in postseason warm-up for the two league champs
Lake Park finished the regular season with a 29-27, 27-25 victory over South Elgin on Wednesday. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorIt’s never too late to learn a valuable volleyball lesson.Lesson No. 1? Don’t ever give up.“The momentum we've had coming out of the last few games of the regular season, we just need to bring that into regionals,” said Lake Park’s 6-5 sophomore middle hitter Carter Gibbons. “We need to come out fighting, especially on our home court.”Lesson No. 2? Finish what you start.“We were in control in both games, but...
SPVB 18 Elite’s journey to AAU title game is its own reward; Kahl finishes third
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 ...