Madisen Babich (far right) enjoyed an all-state career at Lyons Township under former coach Joann Pyritz before moving on to Cal State Fullerton. She now tackles another challenge at Downers Grove South. (Photo by Mark Brown for Cal State-Fullerton Athletics). We are just a few days away from the first day of practice for the 2021 Illinois girls’ high school volleyball season.No one is still quite sure what the season will look like. We do know that per Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s order Wednesday, all Illinois K-12 students whether in public or pr...

Lions 15-1 features an unusual roster in 2020 that includes three middle hitters and three setters. https://youtu.be/xC98jBFNf6U Last summer, Lions 15-1 finished fifth in the Open division at the USA Volleyball Junior National Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana.However, last year’s Lions 15-1 team and the 2020 edition bear little resemblance to each other.“The biggest difference right away is the height,” head coach Laura Burgarin said. “Last year, I had 6-foot-3, 6-2, 6-1 across the front row. I’m working with a little smaller g...

Naperville Central won a Class 4A regional title in 2019 behind Southeast Missouri recruit Kayla Closset, who said that coach Brie Isaacson always had faith in her even when she didn't. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Naperville Central girls' volleyball coach Brie Isaacson By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.comBrie Isaacson’s life is both full and fulfilling.The Naperville Central girls’ volleyball coach has guided the Redhawks to two state championships and has owned her own club, Club 1 in Plainfield, for the past 12 years.She’s done it whi...

Wheaton Warrenville South coach Bill Schreier does not expect to watch his teams participate in an IHSA-sponsored state tournament in 2021. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Marist boys' and girls' coach Jordan Vidovic. By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comNo one has won more IHSA boys volleyball championships than Wheaton Warrenville South coach Bill Schreier. He has also led the Tigers to a pair of top four finishes in girls’ volleyball.But Schreier is not optimistic he will be adding any hardware to the trophy case in 2021. “I would have...

(Photos by Dave Ruggles) Which teams will have firepower aplenty come the fall of 2020? Will Decatur St. Teresa and Breese Mater Dei meet for a second consecutive year in the IHSA Class 2A championship match? The IHSA’s arbitrary “rolling of the peas” could be the only impediment.Will Benet repeat in Class 4A one year after the Redwings prevented Marist from winning a third consecutive IHSA championship? Can Sterling join St. Francis as the only teams to three-peat in 3A? Can Norris City-Omaha-Enfield get back to Redbird Arena without Emile...

Geneva lost for just the third time in DuKane Conference play, falling at Wheaton North, 25-23, 18-25, 25-21, in front of a large senior night crowd Tuesday. There was something different about this game.The playing court was the same size. The height of the net was unchanged. There were six players on each side. Two officials – one up, one down. The ball was regulation. Rally scoring was used.So what was it that made this match different?People.“This is the first volleyball game all season that we’ve actually had a crowd,” said Geneva co...

After leading Wheaton Warrenville South to an IHSA Class 4A runner-up finish in 2019, Zayna Meyer (left) has big goals for her SPVB 18 Elite team this spring. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) SPVB 18 Elite's BYU-bound setter Zayna Meyer. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) By PJ BrozynskiIllprepb.com Writer/Editor If you can’t live at home while you’re going to college, you can always do the next best thing.Take home with you.“We’re going to see a lot of each other, for sure,” said Sports Performance 18 Elite setter Zayna Meyer. “It’s like bringing home ...

SPVB B18 Lenny features five players who return from last year's team that finished third in the 18 USA division at the USA Volleyball Boys Junior National Championships in Dallas, Texas. https://youtu.be/uD9zQD2XUUY There’s something about Lenny.Whether it’s chemistry, continuity or just top-to-bottom talent, Sports Performance’s “No. 2” team is hardly what most observers would consider a “second team.”SPVB 18 Lenny has been a fixture in the top brackets in the B18-Palos Points Series at Palos Courts this season. Saturday, after losi...

Former Glenbard East and Ohio State star Amanda Peterson played in Austria for four years before the COVID-19 pandemic put her professional career in jeopardy. (Peterson photo courtesy of the University of Kentucky, Clark cover photo courtesy of the University of Wisconsin) By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.comAmanda Peterson is coming home. Tiffany Clark is staying home.The former Illinois high school stars are among 40 players who have signed with Athletes Unlimited, which is launching a new women’s professional volleyball league. When ...

SPVB 18 Elite saw its 15-match winning streak to open the 2020 season come to an end against Alabama Performance 18 Red in the 18/17 Power division championship match of the Presidents' Day Challenge Monday at the Schaumburg Convention Center. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Something about the “SPVB” lettering on the front of the jersey brings out the best in the opposition.Alabama Performance 18 Red’s best Monday was pretty darn good.Led by its trio of Division I recruits – 6-foot-3 outside hitter Merritt Beason (Florida), 6-3 middle hitter Gabr...