Montini defeated Benet in the semifinals, but could not build on a first-set victory and lost to Glenbard West in the championship match of the Wheaton North Blue & Gold Invitational. By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comGlenbard West surprised most everyone except itself. The Hilltoppers won a pair of three-set thrillers Saturday, surviving Wheaton North in the semifinals then rallying past Montini, 17-25, 25-23, 25-23, in the title match of the Wheaton North 36th Annual Blue & Gold Girls Volleyball Tournament.The victory av...
IC Catholic Prep, Lincoln-Way East ponder what might have been, get set for fall
IC Catholic Prep is getting ready for the fall 2021 season after finishing the state tournament-less spring campaign at 17-0 without dropping a set. What if? What if there had been a state tournament last year? What if we just forget last spring altogether? There are teams on both sides of the coin. Yes, it would have been interesting to see what would have happened had there been a state series last season. Yes, there are some teams that are thankful to have a “do-over” and simply happy to put the past behind them. Today,...
Illprepvb.com presents the 50 All-Time Best Illinois Boys Volleyball Players
Barrington's 6-9 middle hitter TJ Murray continued his stellar career at Lewis University, where he was named an AVCA Honorable Mention All-American following the pandemic-shortened season. (Photo courtesy of Chicago Tribune) Today, we begin to count down the 50 All-Time Best Illinois Boys Volleyball Players.The players were selected based on their athletic ability, their individual accomplishments on the court, how they impacted their team’s success, their place in IHSA history, and in some cases, how they continued to represent thems...
West Chicago has one of those games that is best to put in a box and seal the lid
West Chicago is unbeaten in the Upstate Eight Conference and has matches remaining with co-leader South Elgin and perennial league contender Glenbard East. By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorEven the best teams have the worst days.Wednesday, it was West Chicago’s turn.But despite the 25-15, 25-12 loss at Wheaton North, the Wildcats are enjoying a renaissance of sorts under head coach and former Lake Park and Iowa standout Pamela Pater.Pater, who took over the program in 2017, has turned the young Wildcats (19-5 overall, 5-0 in the Upstat...
Normal West, Hernandez shine brightly against Moline, Sacred Heart-Griffin
Normal West High School setter Sydney Sennett (11) notched 22 assists, seven digs and four aces during a 25-17, 25-14 victory over visiting Moline on Saturday. Facing off across the net is Moline's Rylie Frazelle. (Photo by Randy Sharer) By Randy SharerSpecial to Illprepvb.comNORMAL – Thanks to a shorter than ever offseason, the August volleyball on display during a triangular at Normal West High School on Saturday has rarely been more polished.In a showdown of three unbeatens, no team shined more brightly than the host Wildcats, who toppe...
Adversity G18 Adidas has all the ingredients for a successful run to nationals
Adversity G18 Adidas' second-place finish in St. Louis imparted a few lessons to a team that has set its sights on an Open bid to the USA Volleyball Girls 18 Junior National Championship. Putting together a volleyball roster can be a little like making pot roast … sometimes it takes a while for all the ingredients to come together.Adversity G18 Adidas just needs a bit more seasoning.After losses to MAVS KC 18-1 (Kansas City, Missouri) and Premier Nebraska 18 Gold (Omaha) knocked Adversity out of bid contention at the Northern Lights Q...
Bourque, Yorkville riding wave of success, but the Foxes aren't done by a long shot
Plainfield Central will take a much needed breather before resuming play next Tuesday when the Wildcats host Romeoville on senior night. Yorkville's Ella Bourque By Phil BrozynskiIllprepvb.com EditorElla Bourque has experienced the highs and lows of high school volleyball.The 5-11 senior setter is just weeks away from wrapping up her fourth and final season on Yorkville’s varsity. As a freshman, Bourque and the Foxes went 26-8 before being derailed by Lockport in a regional semifinal. Less memorable seasons of 17-18 and 7-7 followed.Ho...
There could be no denying Kaneland, and West may be the new normal in Normal
Newark's KJ Friestad (No. 18 on the home page walking toward the bench) is one of two players who were members of the Lady Norsemen's 2019 championship team that must now defend its title without the services of Madi Malone (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee). (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Illprepvb.com continues its look at the 2021 season with more previews, including those of several teams Like St. Viator and Kaneland hoping to build on their success in the spring and others like Prairie Ridge looking to move up the ladder in their respe...
His varsity career likely ended after one week, but his future still looks bright
St. Viator senior Daniel Fecko (foreground) personifies the definition of "student-athlete," according to his volleyball coach, Katie Post. St. Viator's Daniel Fecko (4). By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comDaniel Fecko always puts forth an extra effort.The fact that the St. Viator senior achieved a perfect score of 36 on his ACT exam is certainly proof of that.Fecko has been playing soccer and volleyball at St. Viator since he was a freshman. This spring, however, would have been his first opportunity to play on a varsity team.But w...
St. Thomas More's addition, Tri-Valley's subtraction equals victory for Sabres
Parkland College recruit Landry Warfel (5) of (Downers) Tri-Valley had 13 assists in Thursday's 27-25, 25-14 loss to visiting (Champaign) St. Thomas More. (Photo by Randy Sharer) Ohio State recruit Anna McClure of Champaign St. Thomas More returned from a broken leg to help the Sabers defeat Tri-Valley, 27-25, 25-14, at Downs on Thursday. (Photo by Randy Sharer) By Randy SharerSpecial to Illprepvb.comDOWNS – The math worked out in favor of Champaign St. Thomas Morel’s volleyball team on Thursday as the Sabers, ranked No. 1 in ...