Jaworski, inspired to play by her brother, follows her mother's lead to Carbondale

Naperville North and Sports Performance setter Anna Jaworski (left), who recently won two EVP Beach Volleyball events with her partner, Wheaton Warrenville South's Zayna Meyer, will attend her mother's alma mater, Southern Illinois University, next fall to continue a playing career inspired by her brother. John Jaworski was a stellar performer during his career at Naperville North and inspired his sister to carry on the family tradition. By Matt Le CrenSpecial to Illprepvb.comEven though both of Anna Jaworski’s parents played volley...

After 40 years as head coach, former Lockport boss Hudson hangs up clipboard

Former Lockport head coach Julia Hudson retired from coaching after wrapping up an eight-year career at Evansville North High School. Julie Hudson led Lockport to the 1993 IHSA Class AA title with a team that was unbeaten against opponents from Illinois. By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comJulia Hudson was interviewed nine years ago as she prepared to enter her last season as girls’ volleyball coach at Lockport. “Please don’t use the word, ‘last,’” Hudson said at that time. “Please find another word, because that sounds so final....

Record-breaking Romeoville starts over; Missiles plan to sizzle in 2019

Freeport Aquin Catholic is seeking its first regional championship since 2014 with several key returning players and a new coach. Illprepvb.com continues its coverage of the 2019 Illinois high school girls' volleyball season with another set of team previews. School: Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-HammondConference: Little Okaw ValleyHead coach: Emily Crossman          Last season’s highlights: 23-12 overall, 6-3 in conference,  lost to St. Joseph-Ogden, 25-17, 25-18, in a Class 2A region...

Illprepvb.com's look at the 2021 season begins (and hopefully does not end) today

Fairfield's 5-10 sophomore Emersyn Robbins is one of the top players in southern Illinois ... regardless of class or classification. Beginning with the first day of practice Monday, August 9, folks across Illinois will be keeping one eye on their home team and the other eye on Bloomington waiting to see if the IHSA pulls the plug on the 2021 girls volleyball season.COVID-19 has not gone away.New coronavirus cases leaped in Illinois during the week ending August 1, rising 46 percent as 11,682 cases were reported after 7,983 new cases were r...

Walden, Waubonsie Valley top WW South to reach Crimson Classic quarterfinals

Waubonsie Valley defeated Oswego and Wheaton Warrenville South on Friday to advance to the championship quarterfinals of the Illprepvb.com/Crimson Classic at Plainfield North. Melissa Walden made the difficult decision to graduate early and get a head start on her volleyball career at Texas A & M.But that’s nothing new for the 6-foot setter, who has been making difficult decisions from the moment she joined the varsity team at Waubonsie Valley as a freshman. “I’m going in January,” she said. “Part of it is that I will be able to get use...

Illprepvb.com's look at the 2020 boys high school volleyball season starts today

Rockford Boylan's Nikos Zydakis (11) is one of four key returnees from a team that went 35-3 and reached a sectional semifinal last season. (Photo by Dave Ruggles) The 2020 IHSA boys volleyball season officially kicks off with the first day of practice on Monday, March 9. Illprepvb.com begins its look at the 2020 boys' high school volleyball season today with our first set of team previews. Illprepvb.com will continue to provide the best in boys high school volleyball coverage throughout the season.School: Bolingbrook   Conferenc...

IHSA board of directors OKs state series for boys volleyball this spring

Marist was the last boys state volleyball champion crown by the IHSA back in 2019. (Photo by Dave Ruggles). It’s on. The IHSA board of directors Wednesday approved a full state series for boys’ volleyball, adding the sectional and state final levels.Regional tournaments will be held June 7-10. The eight traditional boys’ volleyball sectionals will take place Saturday, June 12 and Tuesday, June 15. Sites are still being finalized. Schools that are interested in hosting are asked to contact Stacy Lambert slambert@ihsa.org at the IH...

Mother McAuley breaks into the win column, defeats visiting St. Francis

Mother McAuley earned its first win of the season Wednesday against visiting St. Francis. By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comMother McAuley knew the victory would come. The Mighty Macs just didn't know when.It came Wednesday evening as the Mighty Macs clicked like they believed they could and pulled away down the stretch of each set for a 25-17, 25-19 victory over visiting St. Francis.  The win was the first of the season for McAuley (1-4), which likely had more than a few folks scrambling for the record books during their ina...

Tested, Tall, New Trier wants it all; Marmion eyes another league title, more

Colin Heath and New Trier are one of the top teams in Illinois this spring and seek the school's first boys' volleyball championship since 1996. (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 this spring.School: Marmion AcademyConference: Chicago Catholic League WhiteHead coach: Barb EbertLast ...

Stockton hopes to surprise despite key loss; Lucas, Young vie for city dominance

Stockton graduated several key players off last year's regional championship team, but hopes to build on a strong summer heading into the 2019 season. Illprepvb.com continues its coverage of the 2019 Illinois high school girls' volleyball season with another set of team previews. School: FentonConference: Upstate EightHead coach: David MelloLast season’s highlights: 24-12 overall (most wins since 1991), 3-3 in conference (Metro Suburban), lost to Glenbard East, 25-14, 25-14, in a Class 4A regional semifinal.Top returnees: senior middle ...