Jack O'Riordan provided leadership and phenomenal numbers for a young and untested Barrington team that set a program record for wins. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.comEverywhere Jack O’Riordan went this season, it seemed all eyes were on him.The Barrington outside hitter consistently drew multiple blockers, while in the stands every fan came to watch him play, some hoping to see him fail.At times, it was sort of like waiting for someone to steal the basketball from Michael Jordan. It didn’t happen often,...
Skowronski, Naperville Central start fast, roll past inexperienced Neuqua Valley
Kenzie Brower (14, left, middle) had 3 kills as Naperville Central began its pursuit of a DuPage Valley Conference title Thursday with a victory over Neuqua Valley. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.comKaitlyn Skowronski and her Naperville Central teammates put a new twist on the familiar adage about how the key to success is not how you start, but how you finish.Strong starts by the Redhawks in both sets finished Neuqua Valley, which could never dig out of big early holes as Naperville Central rolled to a 25-16, ...
Downers South has one goal in mind: adding another plaque to the gym wall
Downers Grove South's 6-3 junior middle hitter Hugo Hu had 2 blocks and a kill Tuesday against visiting Hinsdale Central. (Photo by Dave Ruggles). There is a large wooden plaque hanging on the west side of the Downers Grove South gymnasium honoring the 2013 state championship boys’ volleyball team.That plaque is getting lonely, and if given the opportunity, Dominic Fallara and his teammates would like to change that.“We’re waiting to get the ‘go’ on state,” said Fallara, a 6-foot senior setter. “That’s what we’re pushing for. We’re here t...
Mother McAuley avoids Edwardsville's upset bid; Metea Valley tops Barrington
Barrington's 6-2 sophomore Berkely Ploder (10) tries to beat the block of Metea Valley's Jessica Williams (4) during the first set of Friday's second Class 4A semifinal. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comNORMAL – They're back.Sophomore Ellie White and senior Peyton Brokemond made sure Mother McAuley returned to a familiar place in the state title match as White whammed 23 kills and Brokemond bashed 18 to lead the Might Macs past Edwardsville, 27-29, 25-21, 25-16, in the opening IHSA Class 4A semifinal Friday at ...
Who survives? A not-so-brief look at all 32 sectionals from Bartlett to Wayne City
Junior Jessica Horwath (2) will try to lead Barrington to its first sectional championship since 2006 when the Fillies compete at Lake Zurich this week. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com Editor We start the week with 128 teams. By late Friday, only 16 will remain. Who survives? Here it is, Illprepvb.com’s not-so-brief look at the 32 sectionals feeding into 16 supersectionals that will provide four fields of four semifinalists in each class November 12-13 at Redbird Arena on the campus of Illinois State Univers...
Loyola-bound Schwieger powers Waubonsie Valley to outright DuPage Valley title
Ben Schwieger (9) had 18 kills, 2 blocks and 12 digs in his final appearance in a Waubonsie Valley uniform before he departs to begin his college basketball career Sunday at Loyola-Chicago. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Ben Schwieger donned his Superman cape … er, his Waubonsie Valley jersey … for the last time Thursday at Naperville North.He made his final game one to remember.The 6-foot-6 senior outside hitter, who will begin his college basketball career Sunday when he arrives on the campus of Loyola University-Chicago, pounded 18 kills to g...
Freshman Elle Norquist puts final touches on Yorkville's run to a regional title
Naperville North's Paige Lauterwasser (14) smashed 17 kills Thursday, but it wasn't enough as Yorkville rallied for a 15-25, 25-20, 25-15 victory in the Class 4A regional championship match at Yorkville. (Photos by Dave Ruggles). Yorkville freshman Elle Norquist served the final seven points of Thursday's regional championship match. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorNervous? Who, me?It was hard to tell whether Yorkville’s 5-5 freshman defensive specialist Elle Norquist was more nervous when she stepped to the service line late in Th...
Munciana foils SPVB 18 Elite's bid for AAU national championship
SPVB 18 Elite's Ella Wrobel (pictured here earlier this season) had 8 kills in the second set, but the Aurora girls were unable to overcome Asics Munciana Samurai in the 18 Open championship match Monday at the 48th AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships. Orlando, Fla. -- Sports Performance 18 Elite unveiled their bright new jerseys for the championship match of the 18 Open division Monday at the 48th AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships at the Orange County Convention Center.Unfortunately, it was the same old Asics Muncian...
Where are they now? A look at where 150+ Illinois boys are playing college volleyball
Neuqua Valley's Kevin Kauling is now plying his talents at Lewis University in Romeoville, where he was a second team All-MIVA selection as a freshman. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Illinois not only ranks second among all states in the number of boys who play high school volleyball (trailing only California in the most recent survey by the National Federation of State High School Associations), it is also near the top of the list for the number of its student-athletes who go on to play volleyball in college.So we asked club directors to send us ...
Byas comes up big for Lincoln-Way East; Molnar seals Downers South's victory
Lincoln-Way East (near court) won the far south suburban sectional title for the sixth time in the past eight years Tuesday, turning back Marist (far court), 23-25, 25-22, 25-21. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comJared Byas made sure Lincoln-Way East was the team that was moving on. The Lincoln-Way East outside hitter had a match-high 18 kills and added 8 digs and 10 service points as the Griffins punched their ticket back to the IHSA quarterfinals with a thrilling, 23-25, 25-22, 25-21, victory over Marist in ...