WWS Hall of Fame

When I look back at my time with the WWS Volleyball team, one word comes to mind: appreciation (or a lack thereof). I thought all programs had coaches that worked as hard as Coach Schreier. I thought it was standard procedure to have someone film sessions on their opponents every week — complete with a full scouting report. I thought all programs had organized lifting programs before school, and in the preseason. And surely all teams have rosters featuring year round club players, compete in a gym that receives elite level training and are pushed to achieve their maximum potential. I honestly thought all programs operated just like the WWS Volleyball program.

In short, I was wrong. Very wrong.

At the time I had no idea that I was a part of something very special. Now, as someone who has worked as a coach, I not only understand the magnitude of his contributions, but I have a greater appreciation for the impact a well-run program can have on young athletes.

The WWS Volleyball culture allows players to work hard and thrive. The tradition of the program is one that is inspiring and life-changing. Had it not been for Coach Schreier’s guidance and belief in me, my life would have turned out drastically different. My time with the Tiger Volleyball program turned out to be a crucial experience that helped steer my life toward an amazing path that now allows me to pass on many of the skills I learned there to the next generation.

I would have never guessed that entering into the Tiger Volleyball program would have been the most positive, life-altering event of my childhood. But I’m truly appreciative of the influence Coach Schreier and the Tiger Volleyball program made in my life.

It’s strange to think that WWS Tiger Volleyball has been a part of my life in some way since I was about 7 years old. I’ve literally been on every end of the spectrum from sitting in the bleachers as a kid watching my older sisters play, to attending summer camp in middle school, to playing on Varsity for four years, to assistant coaching, to coaching against the team, and finally working in my professional career with the program. I know I am fortunate compared to most alumni at South and even any high school program out there in the country to have maintained some sort of relationship with the program, and most importantly Coach Schreier. While my relationship with the program has evolved over the years, I am always proud to say I played at WWS.

I think more than any of the wins, titles, or records that I was fortunate enough to experience in my time at South, I am most grateful for the understanding of hard work, commitment, and tradition. I think we were instilled from the very beginning that there was an expectation we were going to be a successful program, or at least to work as hard as we can to be the best in our abilities. For me personally, I think that’s what Tiger Volleyball is all about. Because the tradition is so important, you want to do everything in your power to maintain that culture of excellence.

I’m very grateful to the Tiger Volleyball program for not only the success I experienced over a decade ago on the volleyball court, but how it was An important piece of the puzzle of my life. It set me up for success with my college playing career and currently my coaching career, as well as how I approach my everyday life. That hard work and dedication to be the best version of myself then, still carries true for me today.

When I think about the four years I spent in the Tiger Volleyball program, the first thing that comes to mind is the obvious success we enjoyed. Not many people can say they reached the pinnacle of their extracurricular once, let alone three times. All of the success we had was a great experience, and it’s definitely fun to think back on everything now and then. The pedigree of this program is a real thing. South has had more prolonged success than any other program in Illinois and a majority across the country. Having the opportunity to add to and improve on that tradition is probably the most unique thing about playing this sport at this school. In my experience, this necessitated harder practices and more preparation because of the extremely high expectations come tryouts in early March.

Living up to this tradition was and is a pivotal component of playing here, and it’s one of the most unique things about South Volleyball. You always wanted your group to add a new notch to the belt in the long line of past achievements. A standard of excellence has been set: to be the last team standing the last Saturday night of the season. There are always ups and downs throughout the year, but the focus is always on that last weekend. Practices are designed to build the mindset of working toward that long-term goal. That mindset is something that sticks with you long after graduation. It’s definitely something that has stuck with me through college and now into my professional career.

My time playing at South has given plenty of long-lasting memories. I had plenty of fun and success there, and I would feel pretty safe in saying I would expect similar success for the foreseeable future for up-and-coming players. I’m very thankful to the program for all of the personal development I obtained while a part of it. Volleyball may not be a significant aspect of my life anymore, but there are definitely lessons learned during my time playing at WWS that are still important to my achievements far from the court.

As a freshman, I decided to play volleyball the day of tryouts, it was almost arbitrary. A couple of my good friends decided to play and convinced me the day of tryouts to give it a shot. I made the team, and freshman year was fun for me, as it should be. We were a good team, a great group, and we played together.

My sophomore year I made Varsity. For me, this was kind of when it clicked. I learned to compete. Every practice was intense, every drill my side wanted to win, and I was on the second side. I didn’t see a ton of action during matches, but I learned. The culture built on that team was to compete. Good days, bad days, mediocre days, it doesn’t matter. Leave whatever is going on in your life at the door, because when you walk in the gym you’re there to compete. To this day I still use things learned in the WWS gym on a daily basis. Yes, I am more physical and a better player now than I was in high school, but I compete daily because of things I learned in that gym.

I also learned what team meant. Volleyball is obviously a team sport, and I knew that going into it, but I learned how to compete as a team and within a team. I consider myself an all around player. As an outside hitter, I’m expected to be able to execute every facet of game, but some days you just don’t have it. Maybe today my serve just isn’t working, or I’m not connecting with my setter. While that’s frustrating, I learned to recognize it and just focus on the things I’m doing well that day and allow my teammates to help me out in the facet I’m struggling with. This is something I still struggle with today, and being on a team built on trust makes this that much easier. When your team is built on trust, your team becomes greater than the sum of the parts, which is what elevates you to the next level.

I invite you to compete every damn day. Wins aren’t handed out, and rings definitely aren’t handed out. It takes daily hard work. I invite you to let yourself be part of a team, something more important than you. For the guys like me that came before you, and for the guys that are yet to come. It's bigger than you, it's bigger than me, its us. Good luck.