Oswego East's Vivian Campbell (far court) led the Wolves to a Southwest Prairie Conference title and one of the best seasons in school historty. On the home page is Joliet Catholic's Ava Neushwander. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Today, we are pleased to announce the Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com 2022 Girls All-State Volleyball Special Mention Team. Coaches across Illinois were invited to nominate players to the all-state team. Team members were selected based upon their accomplishments on the court and in the classroom as high school stu...
Connor Durst puts finishing touches on Glenbrook North's win over Glenbard West
Glenbrook North, which won the Tiger Classic at Wheaton Warrenville South earlier this season, added another title to its resume Saturday at the Northside Classic by defeating Glenbard West in the championship game. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorWith Danny Dorsey in a walking boot and Gavin Swartz sidelined by illness, Glenbard West was running out of options.Glenbrook North, on the other hand, had Connor Durst.Durst, a 6-foot-2 junior outside hitter, had 5 kills and 2 blocks during a 9-3 run that put the fin...
‘The Generator’ sparks Lincoln-Way East over Glenbard West in ’22 title rematch
Parker Moorhead had 10 kills in Glenbard West' loss Thursday to Lincoln-Way East in a rematch of last year's IHSA championship match. (file photo by Dave Ruggles) By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.comLincoln-Way East star Tyler Walenga has a nickname for fellow senior Joey Glennon.“We like to call Joey 'The Generator,’” Walenga said. “He generates so much energy at the perfect time, all the time.“He’s got a high motor and is a great player. Whenever we need him, he always delivers.”Glennon lived up to his moniker on Thursday, delivering 1...
Aquin feels no pressure in 1A; G-K's Pierce puts dagger in IC Catholic's 2A title bid
Alayna Pierce (16) had 18 kills to lead Genoa-Kingston past IC Catholic Prep in the Class 2A championship match Saturday at Redbird Arena. (Photo by Dave Ruggles). By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor NORMAL -- Genoa-Kingston’s Alayna Pierce didn’t have the kind of performance she had hoped for in the Cogs’ semifinal victory Friday over Chillicothe IVC. The 5-foot-11 junior had 8 kills, but those came at the expense of 38 attempts and 9 errors for a -.025 hitting percentage.So, Pierce went back to the drawing board.“At practice this mor...
Illprepvb.com presents a first look at Illinois' top 2023 club teams … the 18s
(On the home page) SPVB 18 Elite and SPVB 18 Kahl tangle at the Great Lakes Volleybal Center in 2022. (Above) Marist's Kamryn Chaney (far court) returns for 1st Alliance 18 Gold along with six other players who won a national USAV championship as 17s. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorFirst, congratulations to former Mother McAuley great Kayla Caffey, who played in her second NCAA Division I national championship in two years when Texas defeated Louisville on December 17.A 2016 graduate of McAuley, Caffey was gr...
Crimson Classic moving to Great Lakes Volleyball Center in Aurora in Fall 2022
The Crimson Classic Volleyball Invite hosted by Plainfield North and sponsored by Illprepvb.com will be played this coming August at the Great Lakes Volleybal Center in Aurora, which features 12 air-conditioned courts and can accomodate the entire tournament under one roof. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) We’re moving (but not too far).The 2022 Illprepvb.com Crimson Classic Varsity Volleyball Invite will be held at the Great Lakes Volleyball Center in Aurora on Friday-Saturday, August 26-27.Plainfield North is still running the tournament, but...
Recruiting 102: What You Can Do To Help College Coaches Find You
Illprepvb.com 2022 Player of the Year Lucy Arndt of tiny Aquin Catholic in Freeport, who plays club for VC United VBC, will attend Southeast Missouri State in the fall. VC United formed a recruiting support team headed by Courtney Slinko and Lauren Hansen to work directly with their athletes throughout their recruiting journey. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Editor's note: This is a reprint of an article that first appeared on Illprepvb.com in June 2021. We tried to verify/update the information provided by Peter Gustin, My Recruiting Assistan...
Plainfield East beats the Saturday blues, tunes out Hinsdale South at Richards
Plainfield East's Tyler Volling (21) was named the MVP at the Richards tournament. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorSaturdays have not been kind to Plainfield East.“We dominate that narrative,” said Plainfield East’s 6-2 junior setter/rightside Nathan Grutza.Heading into the quarterfinals Saturday at Richards, Plainfield East was 20-1 on weekdays but a pedestrian 5-4 on Saturdays.The Bengals went 1-2 on Saturday at Marist (losing to Marist and Downers Grove South to finish fourth), 2-1 at Smack Attack (losing to...
Watkins remembers, rallies Lyons Township past Lockport at Argo Invite
Led by Joe Watkins (18, back row, third from left), Lyons defeated Lockport to win the Argo Invite Saturday in Summit. https://youtu.be/Ra4abzYr-SU By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorJoe Watkins’ memory might be a little hazy, but there’s nothing wrong with his game.With Lyons trailing Lockport 15-13 midway through the third set of the Argo Invite championship match, Watkins strung together three successive kills to ignite a 12-8 closing run that gave the boys in royal blue and gold a 25-23, 15-25, 25-23 victory and the tournament ti...
Thunderbolts extinguish the Cardinals' candles with an explosion of aces
Plainfield North (far court) travels to Homewood-Flossmoor Tuesday while Glenbard West (near court) entertains Oak Park-River Forest. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comWith Southwest Suburban Conference play opening next week, the Andrew boys’ volleyball team knows it has to bring its A game.Well, to tune up, the Thunderbolts brought their A game -- as in aces – Monday against Eisenhower. Defensive specialist Drew Schissler served six of them and Andrew had 11 aces overall during its 25-8, 25-11 victory over the...