Defending Class 3A champion Sterling may have to get past Belvidere North in the supersectional if the Golden Warriors hope to repeat ... provided both teams make it that far. Last year, behind Air Force recruit Brooklyn Messenger, Belvidere North went 34-4 including 18-0 in the NIC-10 before running afoul of St. Charles East in a Class 4A sectional semifinal.But like what seems to be a countless number of schools affected by the IHSA’s enrollment reclassification, Belvidere North dropped down to Class 3A this season.So instead of teams li...
At last … here's a look at the abbreviated, unconventional 2021 girls high school season
While there will thankfully be a girls high school volleyball season, Newark and Sterling will not have an opportunity to win a third consecutive IHSA championship and Benet and Decatur St. Teresa will not be able to defend their state titles. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) https://youtu.be/VOoUVp6BJXE Better late than never? More than seven months since the 2020 series was scheduled to begin, the girls high school season is finally here. It will be a season like no other. Hopefully, we will never see another like it. No state tour...
Holubek, Pluskota power Lincoln-Way West past pesky Plainfield North
Lincoln-Way West will meet Minooka for the third time this season in a sectional semifinal Friday at Plainfield North after beating the Tigers Thursday at Oswego. Louden Moran had 4 kills, 6 digs, 2 blocks and an ace for the Warriors Thursday at Oswego. Lincoln-Way West got what it wanted, and probably a little more than it bargained for.Six-foot-2 rightside hitter Tyler Holubek and 5-11 outside hitter Ben Pluskota each had 11 kills and 6-1 setter David Flores distributed 28 assists to go with 11 digs as the Warriors held off Plainfield...
Marist takes care of business; Glenbard West, Oak Park, New Trier advance at Hoffman Estates
Marist's Rocky Mayer had 4 kills and 6 digs during the RedHawks quarterfinal win over Minooka Friday at Hoffman Estates. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) Marist's Nyherowo Omene (left) and Rocky Mayer. By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.com“Takin’ Care of Business”The Marist volleyball team probably didn't listen to the classic song by that name before its IHSA quarterfinal match Friday at Hoffman Estates. But that's exactly what the RedHawks did ad they took care of their end of business and coasted to a 25-14, 25-15 victory over Minook...
Normal U-High dazzles Centralia, sets sights on erasing memory of 2018
After losing in the sectional finals to Joliet Catholic in 2018, Normal U-High will get another crack at the Angels in an IHSA Class 3A semifinal Friday at Redbird Arena. By Randy SharerSpecial to Illprepvb.com The Normal University High School volleyball team was so efficient on Friday in the Class 3A supersectional at Taylorville, it really didn't need the two kills dumped in by their setters during a 25-12, 25-15 win over Centralia. “They know what kind of weapons we have on offense and how aggressively we attack the ball,” said U-High c...
Lincoln-Way East flips the switch – and the script – against visiting Montini
(From left) Kaleigh Ritter, Ali Sorenson, Jess Pappas and Ava Porada plan to help Lincoln-Way East erase the memory of the program's first losing season in nine years. By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.com Lincoln-Way East flipped the switch.A year ago, the Griffins opened the season with a loss to Montini. They went onto have their first losing campaign in nine years. Ten of the players who lived through that 18-19 season return in 2019. Determined not to go through that again, those returners made big contributions as the Griffin...
Minooka welcomes back 10 seniors; Niles North leaves South, and more
Middle hitter Mason Weis (12) and outside hitter Shane Ooms (11) led Minooka to the IHSA quarterfinals at Hoffman Estates in 2019, a destination the Indians' 10 seniors hope to reach again in 2020. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Note: Although Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzer’s most recent “stay at home” order extended school closings until April 8, Illprepvb.com will continue to publish content relevant to the 2020 high school boys’ volleyball season in the hope that it will be resumed at some point in the future. School: Grayslake NorthConference:...
Reids book Mid-Suburban League championship for young but feisty Fremd
Hersey's Katie Kaburov rises for a kill over Fremd's Allie Belmonte (18) and Cassie Seaver (3) during the first set of the Mid-Suburban League championship match Wednesday in Palatine. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) Fremd’s 5-foot-11 sophomore outside hitter Rylen Reid was named the Mid-Suburban West Player of the Year prior to Wednesday’s league championship game against visiting Hersey.But Rylen said they gave the award to the wrong Reid. “That award should've been hers,” Rylen said about her sister, 5-9 senior outside hitter Breslen Reid. “...
Fenton gets help from roundballers; Guba takes over at Shepard, and more
Glenbard North's Michael Dziewior (to the right of and slightly behind Future 18 Elite coach Jacob Stone), is one of four veterans returning for Panthers' boss Dedra DeBenedetti. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) Note: Although Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzer’s most recent “stay at home” order extended school closings until April 8, Illprepvb.com will continue to publish content relevant to the 2020 high school boys’ volleyball season in the hope that it will be resumed at some point in the future.School: FentonConference: Upstate EightHead coach: &n...
Neuqua Valley in a groove behind Cardenas, who leads Wildcats past visiting Metea Valley
Six-foot-1 junior outside hitter Ryan Owens had a kill and 4 digs in Metea Valley's loss to Neuqua Valley Thursday in Naperville. (photos by Dave Ruggles) Neuqua Valley may not have found the next Jeremy Grove, but it’s definitely finding its groove.The Wildcats won for the 10th time in their last 12 matches behind 6-foot-8 middle hitter-turned-outside hitter Jeremy Cardenas (9 kills) and 6-7 setter Kevin Kauling (17 assists, 6 kills), defeating Metea Valley, 25-21, 25-16, Thursday in Naperville. Neuqua Valley coach Erich Mendoza knew...