Mahomet-Seymour setter Madalyn Gaede set the ball for teammate Sydney McKinney during Thursday's 25-12, 22-25, 25-16 loss at Normal University High. (Photo by Randy Sharer) By Randy SharerSpecial to Illprepvb.comNORMAL – Two state-ranked teams on a roll collided in the Normal University High Gym on Thursday and it was the host Pioneers who rocked on.Ranked No. 1 in Class 3A by Illprepvb.com, U-High won its 13th consecutive match with a 25-12, 22-25, 25-16 decision over No. 6 Mahomet-Seymour.After that Game 2 meltdown, Pioneer coach&...

Maureen Pokryfke (right) was second on West Aurora's varsity team in kills and blocks last fall and is currently playing for Fusion 15 Red. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Today, we rank the top players in the Class of 2025. The list is headed by 6-3 outside hitter Abby Vander Wal (Timothy Christian), who has powered 1st Alliance 15 Gold to a 16-3 record in the Windy City Power League, and 5-8 Aniya Warren, who is carrying on the tradition of great liberos at Benet Academy. The list also includes two downstate Illinois freshmen who showca...

Kaylee Sharkey (80) and SPVB 18 Kahl stayed perfect in the 2022 SPVB Presidents Day Challenge at the Great Lakes Volleyball Center on Saturday by outlasting Xcel 18 Elite (Hendersonville, North Carolina), 21-25, 25-21, 25-20, 24-26, 15-11. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) https://youtu.be/FFy6ZN1HQ8o By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorWhen you grow up playing volleyball in Fairfield, Illinois, you really only have two choices if you plan to play club – St. Louis, Missouri, slightly more than 120 miles to the west, or Evansville, Indiana, sl...

Six-foot-5 middle hitter Ava Bogan (7) and the Loyola Ramblers, who lost to Glenbrook South, 25-19, 25-23, in the semifinals of the New Trier tournament Saturday, turned the tables on the Titans Wednesday, defeating Glenbrook South, 25-23, 23-25, 26-24. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.comNaperville North coach Jennifer Urban recorded her 500th career victory when the Huskies beat Rolling Meadows on Friday.The Huskies recognized the achievement with a brief announcement on Wednesday, then went out and got Ur...

Metea Valley's Kira Hutson (far left), who led the Mustangs to an IHSA Class 4A championship last fall, exited Monday's game against Benet Academy after her right shoulder popped out and back in after diving for a ball in ther back row during the first set. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorBenet Academy’s 6-3 junior outside hitter Ava Novak was looking forward to Monday’s meeting with defending IHSA Class 4A champion Metea Valley and 6-5 Florida recruit Kira Hutson.“We want to get the best competition we can,” N...

Metamora's volleyball team has never qualified for the state tournament, a fact 6-foot sophomore outside hitter Esma Frieden (8), the Redbirds' kill leader, hopes to change this season. (Photo by Randy Sharer) Metamora High School setter Victoria Hall (4) has many weapons at her disposal including teammate Hannah Tellor (12). They have helped the Redbirds go 31-1 this season. (Photo by Randy Sharer) By Randy SharerSpecial to Illprepvb.comMETAMORA – To know the Metamora High School volleyball team, start with the end of its 43-match w...

Willowbrook outside hitter Natalie Cipriano (1) and her teammates reached the cxhampionship match of their own tournament Saturday, but Metea Valley stoped the Warriors in the finale of the eight-team tournament. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorAbout 30 miles separated Barrington and Glenbrook South at their respective tournaments Saturday.In eight weeks or so – should history repeat itself – that distance could be measured in feet.Barrington, which ousted Glenbrook South, 25-21, 25-18, from the IHSA Class 4A ...

New Trier and middle hitter Sophia Ksanes split a pair of matches Saturday at the Lyons invite, defeating York and falling to Normal Community. (Photo by Dave Ruggles). https://youtu.be/7ABFXUKdrao By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorTen years have come and gone since Lyons won its one and only state title in 2010. That team, led by future University of Illinois stars Jocelyn Birks and Alexis Viliunas, avenged a loss to Cary-Grove in the Class 4A championship match 365 days earlier. The wait has been even longer for New Trier, which ...

Benet's Annie Eschenbach (17) stretches to put down a kill over Mother McAuley defender Maeve Moonan (19) during the championship match of the Autumnfest Tournament Saturday at Glenbard East. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.comThe performance of Mother McAuley pins Ellie White and Mary Kate Sheehan on Saturday was outstanding.It left Benet feeling stuck.White crushed a match-high 15 kills and Sheehan had a big impact on the right side as the Mighty Macs beat Benet, 25-14, 25-22, to win the Autumnfest Tournament ...