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 ...

Plainfield North (above) led 20-14 in the second set against visiting Lincoln-Way East Tuesday, but watched the visitors close on an 11-2 run to earn a 25-20, 25-22 sweep. https://youtu.be/T4kyIkF0JAc By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorTyler Walenga wasn’t worried.“I knew something was coming,” he said.Neither was Jared Byas.“No matter what, we’re not going to give up,” he said. “We just keep fighting.”Even coach Kris Fiore believed.“One of the greatest attributes of our kids is that you didn't see fear in their eyes at all,” he said...

Metea Valley's Bartosz Chmielewski (6) had 6 kills against visiting Benet Academy on Wednesday, but the Redwings defeated the Mustangs, 25-17, 22-25, 25-18. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.comBenet right side Dominic Krzeczkowski began Wednesday’s match against host Metea Valley with a blistering kill.An hour later, he ended it with another one.In between, well, the Redwings had to dig deep to put an end to Metea’s five-game winning streak. Krzeczkowski, a 6-foot-6 sophomore, led all players with 12 kills, but B...