Lincoln-Way East’s Matthew Muehlnickel is starting to lose count of how many national developmental camps he has attended.
He had to pause before answering.
“I think it’s been four or five times,” he said.
The 6-foot-4 junior outside hitter might have had trouble recalling that number, but he has a pretty strong memory of how tough the competition was.
And how well he has performed.
“It’s a great experience,” Muehlnickel said. “It’s definitely great for my development. I’m playing against the top players in the country, so it’s super intense, super competitive. It’s great volleyball.
“I definitely do feel like I am hanging with them. My passing is tremendously better. I’ve learned to hit shots around the bigger guys. I think it’s been going great.”
Muelhnickel also thinks he has a shot at being on the U.S. U-19 junior national team in 2025.
“My ultimate goal is to make the national team,” he said. “I would say I am right there. I’m probably one of the fourth or fifth guys, so I am working hard to make my way up on that list.”
Lincoln-Way East’s Matthew Muehlnickel, right, and Trey Marek celebrate a point against Downers Grove North in the third-place match of the Lincoln-Way East Invitational on Saturday, April 27, 2024. (Jeff Vorva / Daily Southtown)
But before all of that, Muelhnickel and senior outside hitter Trey Marek are working hard to get the young Griffins (20-9) to put together another strong run as the postseason looms.
Heading into this week, Muehlnickel and Marek have combined for 413 of the team’s 718 kills.
The team has ridden a roller coaster this season, but one of the highlights was winning the tournament title at Fishers in Indiana — the first time the team won the tourney since 2019.
The host Griffins were also happy with a third-place finish at the Lincoln-Way East Invitational, which concluded April 27. But since then, they have gone 1-3 in the next four matches.
“It’s definitely been a crazy season,” Muehlnickel said. “Winning that Fishers Tournament was humongous for us. But we also had a lot of downs. I definitely think we can go far this year.
“Early in the season, a lot of teams counted us out. We lost seven seniors, and a lot of schools thought we weren’t going to be as good. People thought we weren’t going to be a contender for a state title. But I think we have a serious chance of going far.”
The Griffins are the top seed in a sub-sectional of the Collinsville Sectional.
Lincoln-Way East coach Kris Fiore raves about Muehlnickel’s development over the past two years. He feels that going up against elite national players has been a big help.
“That experience with those level of kids gives him confidence,” Fiori said. “He’s playing the highest level of competition. He’s seen those kids, and athletically, he’s just as gifted.”
Lincoln-Way East’s Matthew Muehlnickel (10) follows through on the swing against Lockport during a SouthWest Suburban Conference match in Lockport on Tuesday, April 25, 2023. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)
After the high school season ends, Muehlnickel’s summer will be filled with trying to win a national championship in club. In July, he will be a part of a USA Volleyball Great Lakes Region U19 team competing in a national tournament in Des Moines, Iowa.
And, if possible, he will pick a college.
He already has offers from Lindenwood, George Mason, Purdue Fort Wayne and Lewis. He could wait for more offers to come, but he’s leaning toward getting it done sooner rather than later.
“At the moment, I kind of want to push the decision up a little bit,” Muehlnickel said. “It’s just a lot of pressure to play and still have that nagging in the back of my head and wonder what I am going to do the rest of my life.
“I think it would be great to make the decision soon.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter with the Daily Southtown.
