Head referee Marek Franc explains a call to Lake Park's Nolan Cocat (16) and Carter Gibbons (14) during the Lancers' 17-2,5 25-14, 25-21 loss to Marist in an IHSA quarterfinal Friday at Hoffman Estates. (Photo by Mike Cocat) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.com O’Fallon finding itself in a close match? That's no problem for the Panthers.After nearly seeing its season end earlier in the week in a 23-25, 31-29, 25-21 sectional final victory over Lincon-Way East, O'Fallon found itself in another tight match Friday in the second IHSA q...
Sandburg grooves to a little ‘boogie fever;’ ‘We are family’ says Hilltoppers’ Clifford
Glenbard West's Luke Bachman (5) beats the block of Plainfield South's Domonic Krejci (10) and Emilio Lagunes (7) by hitting down the line during the Hilltoppers' 25-17, 25-17 victory in the sectional championship match Tuesday at Hinsdale South. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comWill Ashum is Sandburg’s enforcer.“With Will, it's his energy, his attitude,” said Sandburg’s 6-6 outside hitter Jeremiah Aro. “He doesn't take any (crap). If anyone is coming at you, he has your back.”Ashum's attitude was on display t...
Sandburg ends Reavis’ special season; New Trier, Libertyville win at Barrington
Setter Easton Donausky (8) and Sandburg advanced to Tuesday's sectional championship match at Hinsdale Central with its win Saturday over Reavis. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comThe Sandburg boys' volleyball team underwent a change before this season with former assistant Madisen Babich taking over as head coach.How did that change the Eagles? “We have a new coaching staff and an entirely new culture,” said Sandburg outside hitter Jeremiah Aro said. “They held us accountable. We just shut up and worked.”Th...
Plainfield South stuns Downers North; Reavis screams, surprises Brother Rice
Matt Swiatkowski (9) and Benet Academy, who defeated Oswego, 25-20, 25-14, in the regional championship match Thursday in Oswego, will face Plainfield South in a sectional semifinal at Hinsdale South at 2:00 p.m. Saturday. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorWith their team trailing 21-16 in the third set to No. 2-ranked Downers Grove North in the regional championship match Thursday on the Trojans’ home floor, even the most fervent Plainfield South fan had to have some doubt creeping into their mind.But not Do...
Venes, vidi, vici. No. 10 seed Plainfield South conquers No. 7 Lincoln-Way West
Ermuun Batchuluun had 15 assists, 3 kills and a block in Naperville North's 25-17, 25-16 loss Tuesday to Downers Grove North in a regional semifinal in Downers Grove. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorWhen Plainfield South and Lincoln-Way West met earlier this season at the Wheaton Warrenville South tournament, the Warriors won the battle, 21-25, 25-23, 25-20.That victory helped Lincoln-Way West earn the No. 7 seed in the Hinsdale South sectional, ahead of No. 10 seed Plainfield South.The Cougars remembered, a...
St. Charles North bucks the 8 vs. 9 trend, defeats rival Geneva at St. Charles East
St. Charles North's Diego Torres (8) had 5 kills during the North Stars' 25-18, 25-23 victory over Geneva in Saturday's quarterfinal match at the regional hosted by St. Charles East . )File photo by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorNobody has done a study of the IHSA boys volleyball tournament, but…Since the NCAA Division I men’s basketball field expanded to 65 teams in 1985, the No. 8 vs. No. 9 seeds have the closest head-to-head record with the No. 9 seed owning an 83-77 advantage, a 51.88 winning percentage.Somebody fo...
From No. 2 to No. 1, Matt Louis is the Ultimate/Illprepvb Player of the Week
Barrington's Matt Louis was a latecomer to the sport and was barely a twos team player when he began. Last week, he was named the Mid-Suburban West Player of the Year. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorEach week during the volleyball season, we announce an Ultimate VBC/Illprepvb.com Player of the Week. Coaches throughout Illinois are invited to nominate a player for their outstanding performance on and off the court.This week, the Ultimate VBC/Illprepvb.com Player of the Week is Barrington’s 6-6 middle hitter Matt Louis.Louis w...
Barrington puts the band back together, defeats Prospect for MSL championship
West division winner Barrington won its fourth Mid-Suburban League championship in the past five years Thursday, defeating East winner Prospect, 25-17, 25-17, in Mt. Prospect. By Phi BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorBarrington’s boys volleyball team has had more players miss time with injuries and illness this season than the Chicago Cubs’ pitching staff.Six-foot-1 outside hitter Eli Rodda, the team’s lone four-year varsity player and projected as a six-rotation starter, suffered a knee injury April 9, and, prior to Thursday, made only one...
Downers North staggers Glenbard West; Willowbrook holds off Timothy Christian
Aidan Akkawi led Downers Grove North with 11 kills in the Trojans' 25-19, 25-12 rout of Glenbard West Tuesday in Downers Grove. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.comPractice made perfect for Downers Grove North on Tuesday.Or at least as close to perfect as a volleyball team can get against an elite opponent.The Trojans, ranked No. 3 in the latest Michio Chicago VBA/Illprepvb.com Boys H.S. Rankings, made only five hitting errors and got dominant performances across the board in sweeping second-ranked Glenbard W...
West Chicago’s Vince Spadoni is the Ultimate VBC/Illprepvb Player of the Week
Vince Spadoni had les West Chicago to a share of the Upstate Eight East division title this spring. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor Each week during the volleyball season, we announce an Ultimate VBC/Illprepvb.com Player of the Week. Coaches throughout Illinois are invited to nominate a player for their outstanding performance on and off the court. This week, the Ultimate VBC/Illprepvb.com Player of the Week is West Chicago’s 6-6 outside hitter Vince Spadoni. West Chicago's Vince Spadoni Spadoni has 300 kills, 48 a...