Downers Grove South coach Madisen Babich ran players in and out during the second set of the Mustangs' match Tuesday at Willowbrook, giving her bench extensive playing time in her team's 25-10, 25-18 sweep. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorDowners Grove South coach Madisen Babich looked down her bench after the first set of Tuesday’s game with Willowbrook in Villa Park and knew what she had to do.“These girls are teenagers,” Babich said. “They're full of emotion. So, when you beat a team 25-10 and you look down...
Ultimate VBC/Illprepvb Player of the Week Kolby Ross leading Griffins’ resurgence
Even as a freshman last season, Kolby Ross (7) was making an impact for a team that went 32-6, went unbeaten in the Southwest Suburban Conference and advanced to a Class 4A sectional semifinal before losing to eventual IHSA champion Marist. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThis is hardly the season Lincoln-Way East coach Sean Burns envisioned in early August.Expected to feature two of the top outside hitters in Illinois – Indiana recruit Alaina Pollard and 5-9 sophomore Kolby Ross – the Griffins were pick...
You can throw the records out when Naperville North, Central get together
After serving as an assistant under former Naperville North head coach Jen Urban, Nate Bornancin, who previously served as the boys head coach, took over the girtls program this fall. (File photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorThere’s a tired old cliché in sports that when certain teams meet, you can throw the records out.Except in Naperville, it’s not a cliché, it’s gospel.Naperville Central, hovering around the .500 mark this season, built leads of 16-9 and 22-15 in the first set of its DuPage Valley Conference mat...
Mother McAuley turns to a freshman to turn back Marist in south side slugfest
Peyton Heatherly and Mother McAuley, who defeated Marist on the road last year on September 26, turned the trick again Wednesday, besting the RedHawks, 25-17, 19-25, 25-22, in front of a packed house on 99th and Pulaski. (File photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comChyla Jukes had never played in a volleyball match against Marist.The Mother McAuley freshman middle blocker sure didn't act like it.Jukes jolted 9 kills and added 4 blocks, with many of them at key times, and outside hitter Cayla Prohaska pounded 14 ki...
Normal U-High overpowers Rochester in Central State Eight Conference showdown
Normal University High School outside hitter Laney Snow (18) controlled the net against Rochester's Cami Berberet (12) and Cami Tinder (2) on Tuesday in Normal. U-High went on to win, 25-13, 25-12. (Photo by Randy Sharer) By Randy SharerSpecial to Illprepvb.comNORMAL – This is the sort of volleyball season where the third-place team in the Central State Eight Conference could still win a state championship.In fact, no one should rule out the league possibly winning more than one title.At least Rochester, ranked No. 2 in Class 2A by Illprepv...
Ultimate VBC/Illprepvb Player of the Week Brooklynn Brass does it all for Benet
The MVP of the Wheaton Classic, Benet Academy's Brooklynn Brass (5) had 8 kills, 2 blocks, 2 aces and an assist during the Redwings' win over Downers Grove North in the championship game. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor“One more, coach. One more.”“Brook …. stop,” the coach replies.Benet Academy’s 5-11 outside hitter and University of Maryland recruit Brooklynn Brass relentlessly pleads with head coach Brad Baker to allow her to put down just one more ball during hitting drills at practice. “I tel...
Benet Academy aces Wheaton Classic final against Downers Grove North
Benet Academy junior setter-turned-middle hitter Sophia Youssef hits over the block of Downers Grove North's Nicole Liu (6) and Nora Benjamins (13) during Saturday's championship match of the Wheaton Classic. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepb.com EditorSometimes when things aren’t going you way, you have to lighten the mood.“This is a team who lost 10-25 to start the day,” said Downers Grove North coach Mark Wasik. “That's why they came out a little bit loose in the second set, because I made a joke, ‘They don't know what'...
Freshman Ella Horn, Joliet Catholic stun previously unbeaten Providence Catholic
Joliet Catholic, which celebrated after defeating Marian Catholic on Tuesday, followed up that effort by stunning Providence Catholic on Thursday. By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comElla Horn loves a challenge. The freshman outside hitter certainly was up to the challenge against a ranked team. Horn had a team-high 8 kills, but half of those came down the stretch of the third set as Joliet Catholic surprised previously undefeated Providence Catholic, 19-25, 25-23, 25-19, Thursday in Joliet.“Oh yeah, I'm a competitor, so I love a challe...
Starting over? Eureka rebuild stays on pace with victory over (Minonk) Fieldcrest
Eureka High School turned back visiting Minonk Fieldcrest, 25-20, 25-13, with help from Ellie Payne (13), Leah Sears (5), and Isabelle Axelson (7) on Tuesday. (Photo by Randy Sharer) By Randy Sharer Special to Illprepvb.comEUREKA – The Eureka volleyball team graduated five seniors from last year’s 27-8 squad, but the program's winning tradition remained.That much was clear during a 25-20, 25-13 win over visiting (Minonk) Fieldcrest on Tuesday that lifted the Class 2A Hornets to 14-3 overall and 4-0 in the Heart of Illinois Conference.“I ...
Erin Dwyer leads Oak Park-River Forest past Joliet West for Downers South title
Oak Park-River Forest middle hitter Jaida Garland (13) delivers for the Huskies in their semifinal win Saturday over Nazareth Academy at the Downers Grove South tournament. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.comOak Park-River Forest setter Erin Dwyer enjoys running a 5-1 offense much more than she does a 6-2.“I would definitely say I get into the flow a lot easier,” Dwyer said. “I’m not taken out and then have to go back in, and I also love blocking, so that’s a plus.“It just gets me in the groove and keeps me in t...