This week, the college future for Marist’s Jack Meador could come into a clearer focus.
The senior middle hitter wants to play volleyball at Harvard while working on an economics degree. He applied to the prestigious Ivy League school and is hoping to hear if he’s in or out.
“It’s a bit of suspense coming up here,” Meador said in an understatement. “The coach said to apply and that they would like to have me if I get in. That’s basically my situation right now.”
And if Harvard says no?
“I’ll look at being a normal student for the first time in my life,” he said. “I would be looking at USC and maybe playing some club volleyball. Other than that, (Harvard) would be my only varsity level volleyball option.”
While things off the court are a little tense right now, life on the court for Meador looks easy.
He had seven kills and two blocks Wednesday as the RedHawks beat Lincoln-Way West 25-17, 25-13 in a nonconference matchup in Chicago between the area’s top two ranked teams.
Luke Brannigan added 10 kills and two aces for Marist (7-0), while Ohio State recruit Christian Teresi contributed seven kills, 11 assists, four aces and three blocks. Ethan Kuziela had 15 assists and Rorey Donnelly notched 11 digs.
The RedHawks, who moved up a spot to No. 5 in the nation in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association/USA Today poll, haven’t dropped a game since losing 25-21 in the first set of their season opener on March 19 to Sandburg.
Connor Jaral led Lincoln-Way West (7-1) with six kills. Andrew Flores added nine digs and Noah Konopack had 12 assists. The Warriors forced a 10-10 tie in Game 1 but Marist rolled from there.
The 6-foot-4 Meador has had an interesting high school career. He started off at Ag Science, then played on Marist’s sophomore team but missed his junior year recovering from surgery to repair a torn right patellar tendon.
“I was a glorified ball boy — you could say that,” Meador said of the 2023 season. “I still wanted to be a part of the program and show I was committed. I would go to practices and do stats.”
Marist’s Jack Meador watches the ball after his attack against Lincoln-Way West during a nonconference match in Chicago on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. (Jeff Vorva / Daily Southtown)
It didn’t go unnoticed, according to teammate Nathen Toth.
“He was always involved, which was really awesome,” Toth said of Meador. “He was at every practice and every game. He would be shagging or helping out in the gym.”
Now, Meador is helping the RedHawks win matches. He was voted to the all-tournament team at the 24-team Marist Invitational over the weekend.
“He was super steady,” Marist coach Jordan Vidovic said. “He’s a good presence for us in the middle. He keeps our offense balanced.
“He doesn’t jump off the charts with a million kills, but we could always find him and it keeps the defense honest. He’s a vocal leader and an energy leader for sure.”
Lincoln-Way West’s Colin Dargan (1) pounds the ball against Marist during a nonconference match in Chicago on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. (Jeff Vorva / Daily Southtown)
Vidovic was happy to see Meador in the varsity lineup this spring after he missed last season.
“He’s super jacked up to start,” Vidovic said. “As a senior, he wants to make this a big season.”
Marist hasn’t reached the state quarterfinals since winning the state title in 2019. The Illinois High School Association canceled the 2000 season due to pandemic concerns, and the RedHawks were knocked out during the sectional the last three seasons.
“We’re trying to learn from those losses,” Meador said. “Losing the last game is tough, but it’s a learning experience. You can focus on specific things to fix and get over that hump for the next year.
“We’re hoping to get over the hump this year.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
